Real Estate Sales Agent Salary in Houston, TX
Real Estate Sales Agents in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $49,250 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,752 take-home, or $3,479 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median real estate sales agent salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,730
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,054
- Medicare (1.45%)$714
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,752
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Real Estate Sales Agent pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,040 | $14.44 | $26,317 | $2,193 |
| 25th percentile | $36,520 | $17.56 | $31,524 | $2,627 |
| Median (50th) | $49,250 | $23.68 | $41,752 | $3,479 |
| 75th percentile | $83,680 | $40.23 | $67,699 | $5,642 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,990 | $67.30 | $106,949 | $8,912 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,250 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median real estate sales agent's $41,752 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,333 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Houston, TX has 1.3× the national concentration of real estate sales agent jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for real estate sales agents, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #9 of 15 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $103,550 | $76,608 | $68,058 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $79,990 | $65,103 | $58,581 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $78,160 | $60,140 | $55,234 |
| 4 | Charlotte, NC | $63,930 | $51,506 | $52,909 |
| 5 | Orlando, FL | $62,630 | $52,503 | $51,769 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $60,890 | $49,792 | $48,194 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $61,790 | $48,914 | $47,217 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $54,710 | $44,460 | $43,353 |
| 9 | Houston, TX | $49,250 | $41,752 | $42,333 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 15 metros →
About the job: real estate sales agents
Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.7% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Real Estate Sales Agent salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Austin, TX — $45,740
- Dallas, TX — $44,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a real estate sales agent make in Houston, TX?
The median real estate sales agent salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $49,250 a year, or about $23.68 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,520 and $83,680.
What is a real estate sales agent’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $49,250 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $41,752 a year ($3,479 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a real estate sales agent?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $52,830. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,333 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #9 of 15 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a real estate sales agent afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median real estate sales agent’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $100,980
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $77,550
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $76,360
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $73,030
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $63,090
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $46,970
- Insurance Sales Agent — $46,460
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other — $38,820
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $37,710
- Parts Salesperson — $34,010
- Retail Salesperson — $31,340
- Cashier — $29,350