Real Estate Sales Agent Salary
Real Estate Sales Agents earn a median $52,830 a year nationally. Sales and Related Occupations
U.S. median
$52,830
$25.40 per hour
Range
$32,970 – $123,590
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
193,370
across the U.S.
▼6.2%
Pay trend: The median for real estate sales agents in the U.S. fell from $56,320 (May 2024) to $52,830 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 8.6%.
What real estate sales agents do
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)
- Openings per year
- 32,600
- Self-employed
- 54%
Employment of real estate sales agents is projected to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 32,600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Real Estate Sales Agent take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$44,629
per year · effective tax rate 15.5%
$3,719Monthly
$1,860Twice a month
$1,716Every 2 weeks
$21.46Hourly
- Federal income tax$4,160
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,275
- Medicare (1.45%)$766
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$44,629
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,970 | $15.85 | $28,671 |
| 25th percentile | $40,040 | $19.25 | $34,352 |
| Median (50th) | $52,830 | $25.40 | $44,629 |
| 75th percentile | $82,020 | $39.43 | $66,531 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,590 | $59.42 | $95,740 |
Best cities for real estate sales agents (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $103,550 | $76,608 | $68,058 | 8,320 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $79,990 | $65,103 | $58,581 | 3,790 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $78,160 | $60,140 | $55,234 | 3,250 |
| 4 | Charlotte, NC | $63,930 | $51,506 | $52,909 | 3,190 |
| 5 | Orlando, FL | $62,630 | $52,503 | $51,769 | 4,470 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $60,890 | $49,792 | $48,194 | 3,930 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $61,790 | $48,914 | $47,217 | 5,100 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $54,710 | $44,460 | $43,353 | 2,780 |
| 9 | Houston, TX | $49,250 | $41,752 | $42,333 | 5,320 |
| 10 | Tampa, FL | $48,540 | $41,182 | $40,819 | 4,210 |
| 11 | Austin, TX | $45,740 | $38,932 | $39,700 | 2,580 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $46,730 | $37,925 | $37,903 | 6,960 |
| 13 | Dallas, TX | $44,580 | $38,000 | $36,861 | 6,950 |
| 14 | Miami, FL | $47,080 | $40,009 | $35,048 | 9,160 |
| 15 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,020 | $38,479 | $33,882 | 7,340 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $103,550
- Seattle, WA — $79,990
- Washington, DC — $78,160
- Charlotte, NC — $63,930
- Orlando, FL — $62,630
- Chicago, IL — $61,790
- Phoenix, AZ — $60,890
- Philadelphia, PA — $54,710
- Houston, TX — $49,250
- Tampa, FL — $48,540
- Miami, FL — $47,080
- Los Angeles, CA — $47,020
- Atlanta, GA — $46,730
- Austin, TX — $45,740
- Dallas, TX — $44,580
Real Estate Sales Agent salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,770 | +183.1% | $88,311 | $38,450 – $129,760 | 590 |
| New York | $102,990 | +5.7% | $76,247 | $48,350 – $178,710 | 8,660 |
| New Jersey | $99,990 | +50.0% | $74,994 | $47,130 – $124,990 | — |
| Alaska | $89,170 | +3.9% | $71,561 | $52,420 – $123,120 | 170 |
| Nevada | $79,990 | +60.0% | $65,103 | $28,340 – $153,680 | 1,490 |
| Washington | $79,130 | +2.8% | $64,498 | $48,680 – $114,090 | 5,150 |
| Montana | $79,100 | +39.6% | $61,369 | $49,010 – $194,630 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $76,170 | −4.5% | $60,001 | $38,340 – $151,560 | 550 |
| North Dakota | $73,920 | +19.6% | $60,650 | $36,500 – $115,920 | — |
| South Dakota | $65,170 | +19.8% | $54,544 | $45,970 – $110,160 | 640 |
| Virginia | $63,980 | +3.5% | $50,723 | $36,610 – $122,100 | 5,750 |
| Colorado | $63,670 | +3.2% | $51,246 | $37,040 – $128,220 | 6,120 |
| Oregon | $61,610 | +28.3% | $47,122 | $37,100 – $105,020 | 1,940 |
| Alabama | $60,890 | +24.9% | $48,326 | $24,750 – $236,210 | 1,580 |
| Rhode Island | $60,310 | +8.7% | $48,994 | $38,840 – $122,430 | — |
| Illinois | $59,220 | +15.6% | $46,977 | $35,830 – $79,750 | 6,030 |
| West Virginia | $59,050 | +2.6% | $47,704 | $32,180 – $97,470 | 370 |
| Arizona | $58,780 | +10.1% | $48,149 | $35,160 – $113,460 | 5,610 |
| Kentucky | $58,610 | +49.2% | $47,339 | $34,320 – $105,000 | 1,120 |
| Wisconsin | $58,120 | +17.5% | $47,103 | $37,960 – $96,780 | 5,680 |
| Michigan | $57,880 | +4.1% | $46,477 | $31,590 – $104,170 | 2,210 |
| New Hampshire | $57,620 | +3.6% | $48,478 | $43,950 – $97,780 | 240 |
| California | $57,560 | −7.8% | $46,178 | $40,150 – $111,320 | 17,500 |
| Maine | $56,930 | −5.1% | $45,262 | $30,920 – $114,130 | 740 |
| South Carolina | $56,580 | +13.2% | $45,404 | $36,530 – $189,590 | 4,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,040 | +4.6% | $45,488 | $31,500 – $95,760 | 5,510 |
| Maryland | $52,630 | +5.7% | $42,332 | $37,370 – $99,990 | 2,940 |
| North Carolina | $51,240 | +7.1% | $41,816 | $27,940 – $126,380 | 7,960 |
| Utah | $50,720 | −8.4% | $41,617 | $30,290 – $82,790 | 4,240 |
| Wyoming | $49,990 | +16.1% | $42,347 | $30,930 – $87,430 | 300 |
| Florida | $49,310 | −1.7% | $41,801 | $31,190 – $153,200 | 26,790 |
| Oklahoma | $47,980 | — | $39,118 | $27,480 – $120,690 | 3,710 |
| Nebraska | $47,240 | −2.7% | $38,867 | $34,380 – $90,530 | 1,400 |
| Delaware | $47,180 | −2.6% | $38,148 | $34,220 – $103,140 | 900 |
| Indiana | $46,880 | −8.1% | $38,495 | $27,550 – $82,270 | 3,680 |
| Connecticut | $46,770 | +2.4% | $38,580 | $39,820 – $92,100 | — |
| Georgia | $46,730 | −16.8% | $37,925 | $30,220 – $130,460 | 9,940 |
| Minnesota | $46,410 | −2.6% | $37,806 | $36,150 – $108,040 | 2,530 |
| Tennessee | $46,250 | — | $39,342 | $32,160 – $92,010 | 2,360 |
| Ohio | $46,240 | +5.4% | $38,845 | $29,990 – $96,840 | 5,130 |
| Hawaii | $46,220 | −1.7% | $37,306 | $36,030 – $101,750 | 690 |
| Louisiana | $45,850 | +15.1% | $38,031 | $20,210 – $86,590 | 1,940 |
| Texas | $45,740 | −8.8% | $38,932 | $29,110 – $120,050 | 22,250 |
| Missouri | $43,960 | +13.0% | $36,373 | $30,160 – $104,770 | 1,590 |
| Idaho | $39,820 | +7.4% | $33,173 | $21,120 – $79,440 | 1,170 |
| Kansas | $39,770 | −10.2% | $32,716 | $30,190 – $83,760 | 1,450 |
| Mississippi | $39,550 | −21.6% | $33,108 | $20,950 – $94,500 | 670 |
| Arkansas | $38,180 | −0.7% | $31,581 | $24,600 – $100,800 | 1,640 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Broker | $73,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Model | $48,470 | No formal educational credential | -2.1% |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $48,280 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.1% |
| Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers | $41,380 | No formal educational credential | -10.4% |
| Demonstrator and Product Promoter | $39,320 | No formal educational credential | +0.2% |
| Telemarketer | $35,450 | No formal educational credential | -21.4% |
| Sales Engineer | $124,900 | Bachelor's degree | +2.8% |
| Travel Agent | $50,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.2% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers | $48,520 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.7% |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $62,280 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a real estate sales agent make?
The national median salary for real estate sales agents is $52,830 a year ($25.40 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $32,970 and the top 10% earn over $123,590. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays real estate sales agents the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $123,770. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many real estate sales agents are there in the U.S.?
About 193,370 people work as real estate sales agents nationwide.