Real Estate Agent Salary in Appleton, WI: $60,129 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Appleton, WI earns a median $60,129/year (≈ $28.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $65,061 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the wake of the post-2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) commission structure adjustments, real estate agents in Appleton, Wisconsin, find themselves operating in a dynamic market. The median annual salary for these professionals is projected to be $60,129 in 2026, reflecting a commendable 12.13% boost over the national median of $53,622. Agents in Appleton can expect a salary range from $38,946 at the 10th percentile to $92,690 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating the varied earning potential within the profession. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, provide a glimpse into the compensation landscape that real estate professionals face in this Midwestern city, where job opportunities are influenced by the recent changes in commission compensation structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,946 | $18.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,979 | $23.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,129 | $28.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,404 | $37.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,690 | $44.56 |
Median Salary Position
12.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,744 (2026 est.). At $60,129, the local median is 12.13% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Appleton Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Appleton median: $60,129/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $58,208 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | +12.13% more |
Real Estate Agents in Appleton, WI earn a median of $60,129 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.13% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 3.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $58,208.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $60,129 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,061 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$38,390
2025 BLS Actual
$59,240
2026 Current Est.
$60,129
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,129 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 54.3% from $38,390 (2019) to $59,240 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,641 (58.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $38,946 – $47,979 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,979 – $60,129 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,129 – $77,404 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,404 – $92,690 |
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 Appleton
With about 230 real estate agents currently employed in Appleton, the local job market presents robust opportunities bolstered by a cost-of-living index of 92.419, which indicates a more affordable living environment compared to national averages. This figure translates to a powerful purchasing power for agents, enabling them to adapt their earnings effectively. Competitive employers in this area include established national franchises like Keller Williams and RE/MAX as well as local independent brokerages, each offering varying commission splits that significantly impact overall real estate agent pay in Appleton, WI. The disparity in compensation is largely influenced by transaction volumes, average sale prices, and the structure of commission distribution following the recent regulatory changes. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, focusing on niche markets, such as luxury or commercial real estate, and actively engaging in team-based operations can enhance profitability in an evolving industry landscape.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do real estate agents make in Appleton, WI in 2026?
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a real estate agent?
Can real estate agents make $100K in Appleton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted real estate agent salary in Appleton?
How much does a real estate agent make per hour in Appleton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $59,240 for real estate agentsin the Appleton 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