Real Estate Agent Salary in Wilmington, NC: $42,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Wilmington, NC earns a median $42,894/year (≈ $20.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $44,486 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, real estate agent salaries in 2026 reflect significant shifts, particularly in the aftermath of the 2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) commission structure changes. The projected median annual compensation stands at $42,894, which lags behind the national median of $53,622 by over 20%. The salary range for agents in Wilmington varies widely, with entry-level positions earning around $35,292, while top performers can make as much as $77,556. This variance illustrates the competitive nature of the local real estate market and the financial potential for agents who can adapt to the evolving commission landscape. Given these trends, aspiring agents may want to consider how their earning potential can fluctuate based on their strategies and performance in this ambitious environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,292 | $16.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,631 | $17.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,894 | $20.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,417 | $30.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,556 | $37.29 |
Median Salary Position
20.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,264 (2026 est.). At $42,894, the local median is 20.01% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wilmington Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $42,894/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $48,141 | -10.90% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -20.01% less |
Real Estate Agents in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $42,894 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.01% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 10.90% below the North Carolina state average of $48,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $42,894 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,486 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,630
2025 BLS Actual
$42,260
2026 Current Est.
$42,894
2019–2027 Growth
+-27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,537 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew -29.1% from $59,630 (2019) to $42,260 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $-16,093 (-26.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $35,292 – $36,631 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,631 – $42,894 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,894 – $63,417 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,417 – $77,556 |
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 Wilmington
The local job market for real estate agents in Wilmington employs approximately 580 professionals, reflecting substantial competition and opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 96.422, agents enjoy a relatively affordable living situation that can enhance their overall purchasing power. Employment from national franchise brokerages, such as Keller Williams and RE/MAX, tends to offer higher pay scales compared to local independents or fee-based brokerages like Redfin. Factors contributing to the significant salary spread include transaction volume, average sales prices, and commission structures, especially in light of the new income arrangements following the NAR settlement. Successful agents often leverage referral networks and choose team memberships wisely, as aligning with a powerful team can influence their commission percentages and ultimately lead to greater earnings. Understanding the dynamics of Wilmington's market and actively engaging in professional development will be essential for maximizing income potential.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $42,260 for real estate agentsin the Wilmington 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