Real Estate Agent Salary in Cary, NC: $50,478 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Cary, NC earns a median $50,478/year (≈ $24.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $53,929 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected annual pay for real estate agents in Cary, North Carolina, stands at $50,478, which is slightly lower than the national median of $53,622. The salary range for agents in the area is wide, with the bottom 10% earning approximately $32,617 and the top 10% reaching around $78,241. These figures reflect localized estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional price parities. Transaction volume and average sale prices in Cary are key drivers of real estate income, influencing the effective hourly compensation for agents. A growing job market for real estate professionals in Cary reveals a solid opportunity for agents to thrive as demand for residential properties continues to rise.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,617 | $15.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,866 | $18.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,478 | $24.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,612 | $31.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,241 | $37.62 |
Median Salary Position
5.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,624 (2026 est.). At $50,478, the local median is 5.86% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Cary median: $50,478/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $48,166 | +4.80% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | -5.86% less |
Real Estate Agents in Cary, NC earn a median of $50,478 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.86% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 4.80% above the North Carolina state average of $48,166.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $50,478 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,929 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,061
2025 BLS Actual
$49,732
2026 Current Est.
$50,478
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,061 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,164 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,505 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,049 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,116 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,732 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,478 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,235 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $46,061 (2019) to $49,732 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,235 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,174 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $32,617 – $38,866 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,866 – $50,478 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,478 – $64,612 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,612 – $78,241 |
REA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual real estate agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Real Estate Agent Job Market in Cary
Cary's real estate market is marked by 44 employed agents who face a cost of living index of 93.6, indicating that housing prices and living expenses are below the national average. This economic environment offers a degree of purchasing power despite the slightly lower average salaries. Among the employers, national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker tend to pay higher commissions, while local independent firms and fee-based brokerages might offer lower rates but also come with fewer overhead costs. The disparity in earnings is often a function of transaction volume and the agents' commission structures, which can vary significantly from 50/50 splits to 100% commissions with desk fees. For agents aiming to enhance their real estate agent salary in Cary, specializing in higher-end residential or commercial properties can lead to greater earnings. Being part of a well-connected team or a strong referral network can also prove beneficial, especially as recent changes in commission structures impact traditional compensation models.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience as a real estate agent. She specializes in residential properties. She works with a large brokerage in Texas.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $49,732 for real estate agentsin the Cary metropolitan area. A 1.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cary is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for real estate agents (SOC 41-9022).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov