Real Estate Agent Salary in New Bern, NC: $47,231 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in New Bern, NC earns a median $47,231/year (≈ $22.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in New Bern's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $50,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, real estate agents in New Bern, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $47,231, which reflects a significant 11.92% lower figure compared to the national median. The salary range for agents in this market extends from $29,475 at the 10th percentile to $73,208 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential influenced by numerous factors. Compensation structures can vary widely based on whether an agent operates independently or as part of a team. Agents affiliated with commercial brokerage firms, such as CBRE and JLL, may encounter different pay dynamics than those working within residential sectors. New Bern's job market features a modest 7 employed real estate agents, which suggests competition may influence earning potential and establish a nuanced competition within this local market.
About the New Bern Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,475 | $14.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,312 | $16.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,231 | $22.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,455 | $29.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,208 | $35.20 |
Median Salary Position
11.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bern
In New Bern, NC, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,733 (2026 est.). At $47,231, the local median is 11.92% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bern: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bern Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
New Bern median: $47,231/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bern Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $48,146 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -11.92% less |
Real Estate Agents in New Bern, NC earn a median of $47,231 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.92% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $48,146.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bern 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.
New Bern, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $47,231 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,460 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,098
2025 BLS Actual
$46,533
2026 Current Est.
$47,231
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,098 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,195 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,578 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,239 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,533 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,231 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,939 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bern metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $43,098 (2019) to $46,533 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,939 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,841 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bern 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) | $29,475 – $35,312 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,312 – $47,231 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,231 – $60,455 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,455 – $73,208 |
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 New Bern
Given a cost-of-living index of 93.6, real estate agent pay in New Bern, NC, while lower than the national average, remains competitive when adjusted for local economic conditions. Agents can maximize their income by focusing on high-value transactions, specializing in luxury properties, or joining well-established teams within national franchises like Keller Williams or RE/MAX, which often offer better commission splits and support. The post-2024 NAR commission structure changes will also significantly affect how commissions are processed and could incentivize agents to build their referral networks. Furthermore, the income disparity often hinges on transaction volumes, average sale prices, and commission agreements with brokerages. A strategic approach that emphasizes market trends and personal branding will be essential for agents looking to boost their earnings in this particular region of North Carolina.
More salary data for New Bern, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $46,533 for real estate agentsin the New Bern 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 New Bern 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