Real Estate Agent Salary in 2026
Real estate agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties, guiding them through negotiations, paperwork, and closing processes. They analyze market trends and property values.
Median Salary
$52,830
$4,403/mo
Entry Level
$28,400
starting pay
Senior Level
$96,500
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022) at a national median of $52,830 per year (mean $69,510), or $25.40 per hour, with 193,370 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Real Estate Agent Overview
Real estate agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties, guiding them through negotiations, paperwork, and closing processes. They analyze market trends and property values.
Education
High School Diploma + License
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Real Estate
Total Jobs (US)
193K
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Sales
Hourly Rate
$25.40/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,403
Real Estate Agent Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Real Estate Agent salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Real Estate Agent Salary
$73,000
$6,083/month · $2,808/biweekly · $35.10/hr
Real Estate Agent Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Real Estate Agent field.
Entry-level Real Estate Agents earn around $28,400, while the top 10% earn $125,950 or more.
Top Paying States for Real Estate Agents
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $62,000 | +$9,170 |
| New York | $61,000 | +$8,170 |
| Florida | $52,000 | $-830 |
| Texas | $52,000 | $-830 |
| Arizona | $51,000 | $-1,830 |
Top Paying Cities for Real Estate Agents
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $103,550 | +$50,720 |
| PhoenixBLS metro | $60,890 | +$8,060 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $49,250 | $-3,580 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $47,080 | $-5,750 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $47,020 | $-5,810 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Real Estate Sales Agents in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Real Estate Agent Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Real Estate Agent.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Real Estate Agent Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Real Estate Agent from entry level to expert.
$28,400
0-2 years
$62,000
3-7 years
$96,500
8-14 years
$155,400
15+ years
Related Sales Jobs
Real Estate Agent Salary FAQ
How much does a Real Estate Agent make in 2026?
The median salary for a Real Estate Agent in the United States is $52,830 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022); the mean is $69,510. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $28,400, senior professionals around $96,500, and top earners at $155,400 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Real Estate Agent?
A Real Estate Agent typically requires a High School Diploma + License with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Sales, Negotiation, Market Analysis. Relevant certifications such as Real Estate License or REALTOR Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Real Estate Agents?
The job market for Real Estate Agents is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 193K Real Estate Agent positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 14%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Real Estate Agents the most?
The highest-paying states for Real Estate Agents include California, Florida, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $62,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Real Estate Agent salary?
To increase your Real Estate Agent salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Sales and Negotiation. Pursue certifications such as Real Estate License. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $28,400 to $96,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Real Estate Agent Salary
How we calculate Real Estate Agent salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $52,830, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Real Estate Sales Agents; BLS mean $69,510; BLS hourly median $25.40.
- Entry-level ($28,400) and senior-level ($96,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 193,370 Real Estate Sales Agents jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 14% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Real Estate sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: High School Diploma + License, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $52,830; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Real Estate Agent compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Real Estate Agent job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Real Estate
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Real Estate Agent salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Sales, Negotiation, Market Analysis), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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