Real Estate Agent Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$60,000
national median salary
$40,000 to $92,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$83,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$63,000
Raleigh, NC
Lowest Paying
$46,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Real Estate Agent salary in the United States is $60,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $40,000 at the 25th percentile to $92,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $83,000, while Raleigh offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Market location and personal transaction volume create enormous salary variance.
Real Estate Agent salary by city
What you should know
Market location and personal transaction volume create enormous salary variance. Agents in high-value markets like San Francisco, New York, or Miami earn substantially more per deal. Top-producing agents closing 20 or more transactions annually can earn multiples of the median, while part-time agents may earn below minimum wage.
New agents typically earn $25,000 to $45,000 in their first year. Established agents with a referral network earn $60,000 to $100,000. Top producers consistently earn $120,000 to $250,000. Team leaders and broker-owners can exceed $300,000, though with significant business overhead.
Most agents are independent contractors earning 100% commission with no base salary. The listed figures reflect typical gross commission income. Agents pay their own health insurance, self-employment taxes, MLS fees, marketing costs, and brokerage splits of 20 to 50%.