The national median real estate agent salary is $55,000 in 2026 — but this figure masks extreme variance. State, home prices, and time invested determine whether you earn $20,000 or $500,000. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Real Estate Agent Salary by State 2026 — All 50 States
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $112,730 | $48,350 | $102,990 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $99,500 | $38,450 | $123,770 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $92,310 | $47,130 | $99,990 |
| 4 | Montana | $89,580 | $49,010 | $79,100 |
| 5 | Alaska | $88,330 | $52,420 | $89,170 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $85,520 | $38,340 | $76,170 |
| 7 | Washington | $84,480 | $48,680 | $79,130 |
| 8 | Nevada | $83,470 | $28,340 | $79,990 |
| 9 | Alabama | $80,820 | $24,750 | $60,890 |
| 10 | South Carolina | $79,100 | $36,530 | $56,580 |
| 11 | North Carolina | $74,610 | $27,940 | $51,240 |
| 12 | Colorado | $73,650 | $37,040 | $63,670 |
| 13 | Florida | $73,600 | $31,190 | $49,310 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $72,320 | $36,500 | $73,920 |
| 15 | Virginia | $72,040 | $36,610 | $63,980 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $70,160 | $43,950 | $57,620 |
| 17 | Arizona | $70,070 | $35,160 | $58,780 |
| 18 | South Dakota | $69,510 | $45,970 | $65,170 |
| 19 | Oklahoma | $69,060 | $27,480 | $47,980 |
| 20 | California | $67,570 | $40,150 | $57,560 |
| 21 | Maryland | $67,460 | $37,370 | $52,630 |
| 22 | Oregon | $65,740 | $37,100 | $61,610 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $65,330 | $31,500 | $56,040 |
| 24 | Georgia | $65,250 | $30,220 | $46,730 |
| 25 | Maine | $64,840 | $30,920 | $56,930 |
| 26 | Michigan | $64,380 | $31,590 | $57,880 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $64,260 | $38,840 | $60,310 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $64,190 | $37,960 | $58,120 |
| 29 | Texas | $63,610 | $29,110 | $45,740 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $63,180 | $34,320 | $58,610 |
| 31 | Connecticut | $62,640 | $39,820 | $46,770 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $61,420 | $36,150 | $46,410 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $61,300 | $32,180 | $59,050 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $61,130 | $36,030 | $46,220 |
| 35 | Ohio | $59,310 | $29,990 | $46,240 |
| 36 | Delaware | $58,630 | $34,220 | $47,180 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $57,350 | $32,160 | $46,250 |
| 38 | Illinois | $57,260 | $35,830 | $59,220 |
| 39 | Indiana | $57,030 | $27,550 | $46,880 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $56,920 | $34,380 | $47,240 |
| 41 | Missouri | $56,080 | $30,160 | $43,960 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $55,080 | $24,600 | $38,180 |
| 43 | Utah | $53,610 | $30,290 | $50,720 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $52,680 | $20,950 | $39,550 |
| 45 | Wyoming | $52,450 | $30,930 | $49,990 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $51,560 | $20,210 | $45,850 |
| 47 | Kansas | $47,960 | $30,190 | $39,770 |
| 48 | Idaho | $46,650 | $21,120 | $39,820 |
| — | National | $69,510 | $32,970 | $52,830 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-08-25. Figures cover Real Estate Sales Agents (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
How Real Estate Commission Works (Worked Example)
On a $400,000 home sale with 6% total commission:
| Party | Commission | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Total commission | 6% of $400,000 | $24,000 |
| Buyer’s agent side | 3% | $12,000 |
| Seller’s agent side | 3% | $12,000 |
| Agent share (70/30 split with broker) | 70% of their side | $8,400 |
| Broker share | 30% | $3,600 |
Sell 6 homes like this and you gross $50,400 before expenses. Top producers in expensive markets close 20–40+ transactions per year.
Real Estate Agent Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | Avg Annual Income | Transactions/Year |
|---|---|---|
| New licensee (year 1) | $22,000 | 3–6 |
| Active agent (2–4 years) | $45,000 | 8–14 |
| Established agent (5–9 years) | $75,000 | 15–24 |
| Top producer (10+ years) | $125,000 | 25–40 |
| Mega-producer / team leader | $300,000+ | 50–150+ |
Real Estate Agent vs. Broker Salary
| Role | Avg Salary | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Agent | $55,000 | State license (60–150 hrs education) |
| Associate Broker | $72,000 | 2–3 years experience + broker exam |
| Managing Broker | $88,000 | Manage an office, additional licensing |
| Independent Broker | $95,000–$300,000+ | Own your brokerage, keep full commission |
How to Increase Your Real Estate Agent Income
| Strategy | Potential Annual Increase |
|---|---|
| Focus on luxury / higher-priced homes | +$30,000–$100,000 |
| Build a team (earn on agents’ transactions) | +$50,000–$200,000+ |
| Earn broker’s license (keep full commission) | +$15,000–$40,000 |
| Add property management revenue | +$15,000–$50,000 |
| Target investor clients (higher volume) | +$20,000–$60,000 |
| Relocate to high-price market (NYC, LA, SF) | +$30,000–$80,000 |
| Build referral / repeat business systematically | +$10,000–$40,000 |
Related: Real Estate Agent Salary | Average Salary by State
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2025 OES — Real Estate Sales Agents (41-9022).” bls.gov/oes/current/oes419022.htm
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook — Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents.” bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm
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