Real Estate Agent Salary in Charlotte, NC: $64,889 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Charlotte, NC earns a median $64,889/year (≈ $31.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Charlotte's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $66,657 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 34.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the expected annual compensation for real estate agents in Charlotte, NC, is projected at $64,889, reflecting the region's robust real estate market. The salary range spans from $31,424 on the lower end (P10) to a notable $161,040 at the higher end (P90). This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates a dynamic market where agents can capitalize on transaction volumes and average sale prices, ultimately driving their effective hourly compensation to an impressive median of $31.20. This figure exceeds the national median by 21.01%, showcasing Charlotte's appeal in the broader landscape of real estate careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,424 | $15.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,243 | $23.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,889 | $31.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,364 | $57.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,040 | $77.42 |
Median Salary Position
21.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlotte
In Charlotte, NC, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,616 (2026 est.). At $64,889, the local median is 21.01% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlotte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlotte Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Charlotte median: $64,889/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlotte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $48,173 | +34.70% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | +21.01% more |
Real Estate Agents in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $64,889 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.01% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 34.70% above the North Carolina state average of $48,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlotte has a cost of living 2.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlotte, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.348 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $64,889 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,657 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,760
2025 BLS Actual
$63,930
2026 Current Est.
$64,889
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,889 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlotte metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 56.8% from $40,760 (2019) to $63,930 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,102 (61.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte 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) | $31,424 – $48,243 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,243 – $64,889 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,889 – $119,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,364 – $161,040 |
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 Charlotte
Charlotte employs approximately 3,190 real estate agents, highlighting a solid job market. The cost of living index for the area sits at 97.348, which suggests agents enjoy a favorable split between salary and living expenses, thus enhancing their take-home purchasing power. Within this competitive landscape, some of the highest-paying employers include major national franchise brokerages such as Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker, as well as local independent firms and luxury specialty agencies like Sotheby’s. The variation in pay often hinges on factors such as transaction volume and average sale price, as well as commission structures that can range from standard splits to more favorable arrangements for top-performing agents. Given the recent changes following the NAR commission settlement in 2024, agents in Charlotte should explore team-based dynamics or niche specialties to maximize earnings and navigate an evolving commission environment.
More salary data for Charlotte, 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 $63,930 for real estate agentsin the Charlotte 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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