Real Estate Sales Agent Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Real Estate Sales Agents in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$59,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.47
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $52,830
State Rank
#16 of 48
6,030 employed here

How much does a Real Estate Sales Agent make in Illinois?

A Real Estate Sales Agent working in Illinois earns a median salary of $59,220 per year, or about $28.47 per hour. That is 12% above the national median of $52,830 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $35,830 while the top 10% make $79,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,060 and $61,790 a year.

Real Estate Sales Agent salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,830$17.23
25th percentile (early career)$38,060$18.30
50th percentile (median)$59,220$28.47
75th percentile (experienced)$61,790$29.71
90th percentile (top earners)$79,750$38.34

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 16th out of 48 states and territories for Real Estate Sales Agent pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$123,770
2New York$102,990
3New Jersey$99,990
4Alaska$89,170
5Nevada$79,990

Working as a Real Estate Sales Agent in Illinois

Nationally, about 193,000 people work as Real Estate Sales Agents in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($59,220) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Real Estate Sales Agent make in Illinois?
The median Real Estate Sales Agent salary in Illinois is $59,220 per year, or about $28.47 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,830 at the entry level to $79,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Real Estate Sales Agents about 12% more than the national median of $52,830. Illinois ranks 16th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Real Estate Sales Agents?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $59,220 a year. About 6,030 Real Estate Sales Agents are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Real Estate Sales Agent salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.