Real Estate Agent Salary: How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make?
Real Estate Agent Salary: How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make?

Real Estate Agent Salary: How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make? (2026 Guide)

Ever catch yourself wondering, "How much does a real estate agent make?" We've got you covered!  Becoming a real estate agent can be a lucrative career. A real estate agent salary is influenced by many factors; read our 2026 guide below to see just how much a real estate agent makes a year.

How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make?

The average real estate agent salary in the United States in 2026 is $100,922. The highest percentile of salaries now sits in the $172,000 - $204,000 range, while the entry-level percentile typically falls in the $38,500 - $49,000 range. As you can see, that number can vary greatly depending on many factors, some of which we will break down for you below.

REALTOR® vs. Real Estate Agent Salary

Although REALTORS® and real estate agents perform the same job duties, it's important to remember that they are not the same thing. All REALTORS® are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are REALTORS®. A REALTOR® is an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). They have to abide by a stricter Code of Ethics and standards of professional conduct to remain members of the NAR.

Now that we know the difference between the two, we can talk about how much more REALTORS® make. The average REALTOR® salary in the United States in 2026 is $104,145, which continues to be significantly higher than that of a non-member agent. While the median gross income reported by NAR member profiles is often lower due to part-time members, the market average for full-time active REALTORS® reflects the increased access to networking and MLS tools.

Average Real Estate Agent Salary - By State (2026)

The table below outlines the average real estate agent salary by state for 2026, compiled from the latest March data from Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Zippia.  Keep in mind this salary figure includes agents that work part-time (we will get into this later) and REALTORS® will average roughly $20,000 more.

If you are interested in getting licensed in any of the states we have courses, just click the state with hyperlinks and it will take you to the state specific page to get signed up! 

State Average 2026 Salary Data Source
Alabama $82,140 Indeed (AL)
Alaska $101,152 Zippia (AK)
Arizona $94,800 Indeed (AZ)
Arkansas $80,300 Indeed (AR)
California $112,500 Indeed (CA)
Colorado $104,200 Indeed (CO)
Connecticut $102,657 Zippia (CT)
Delaware $91,200 Indeed (DE)
Florida $112,350 Indeed (FL)
Georgia $92,400 Indeed (GA)
Hawaii $108,600 Indeed (HI)
Idaho $88,200 Indeed (ID)
Illinois $95,410 Indeed (IL)
Indiana $87,240 Indeed (IN)
Iowa $84,300 Indeed (IA)
Kansas $86,100 Indeed (KS)
Kentucky $89,479 ZipRecruiter (KY)
Louisiana $84,800 Indeed (LA)
Maine $85,200 Indeed (ME)
Maryland $106,820 Indeed (MD)
Massachusetts $111,225 Zippia (MA)
Michigan $91,240 Indeed (MI)
Minnesota $94,200 Indeed (MN)
Mississippi $78,400 Indeed (MS)
Missouri $82,450 Indeed (MO)
Montana $102,469 Zippia (MT)
Nebraska $89,100 Indeed (NE)
Nevada $102,400 Indeed (NV)
New Hampshire $96,300 Indeed (NH)
New Jersey $108,200 Indeed (NJ)
New Mexico $81,400 Indeed (NM)
New York $111,641 Zippia (NY)
North Carolina $91,200 Indeed (NC)
North Dakota $87,400 Indeed (ND)
Ohio $89,630 Indeed (OH)
Oklahoma $85,200 Indeed (OK)
Oregon $96,400 Indeed (OR)
Pennsylvania $92,150 Indeed (PA)
Rhode Island $94,800 Indeed (RI)
South Carolina $89,200 Indeed (SC)
South Dakota $100,735 Zippia (SD)
Tennessee $98,420 Indeed (TN)
Texas $101,400 Indeed (TX)
Utah $82,968 ZipRecruiter (UT)
Vermont $110,113 Zippia (VT)
Virginia $104,120 Indeed (VA)
Washington $105,662 Zippia (WA)
West Virginia $111,744 Zippia (WV)
Wisconsin $88,600 Indeed (WI)
Wyoming $89,200 Indeed (WY)


Data Methodology & Sources

To provide the most accurate 2026 salary outlook, Perry Real Estate College utilizes a multi-layered data synthesis model. Because real estate income is commission-based and highly fluid, we aggregate three primary data "pillars" to calculate the figures shown above:

  1. Direct Market Aggregation: We pull real-time "Average Salary" data from leading career platforms, including Indeed and ZipRecruiter. These figures reflect the current earning expectations of active brokerages and job postings as of March 2026.

  2. Historical Benchmarking: We utilize the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). While the BLS provides the most verified government data, it often lags by 12–18 months. We use this as a "base" to establish reliable state-to-state ratios.

  3. 2026 Trend Projection: We apply a 3.2% National Trend Growth factor to historical data. This adjustment accounts for the significant U.S. home price appreciation and the shift toward formalized buyer agency agreements seen in early 2026.

A Note on "Averages": Real estate is a performance-based industry. "Average" figures include everyone from part-time referral agents to "Mega-Team" leaders. Your individual income will depend on your local market, your hours worked, and your choice of brokerage.

 

Real Estate Agent Specializations & Niches 

Many real estate agents develop skills to serve a certain specialization or niche in the market. Many of these niches' have higher average salaries, when compared to your typical residential real estate agent. There are many different career paths a real estate agent can pursue. Take a look at some of the various real estate specializations below:

Commercial Real Estate

Specialize in properties intended for business use, such as office buildings, retail spaces, and industrial properties. Typical clients include: Business owners, corporations, and investors looking for business premises or investment opportunities.
Average Salary - $196,249

Luxury Real Estate Agents

Deal with high-end properties that often have significant value and unique features. Typical clients include: Companies in manufacturing, logistics, and distribution sectors.
Average Salary - $98,791

Real Estate Brokers

Typically have more experience and additional qualifications compared to agents, often overseeing a team of agents or running an office. Typical clients include: Various clients, as brokers can work in multiple niches and provide more comprehensive services.
Average Salary - $168,711

Real Estate Developer

Real estate developers are professionals involved in the process of developing properties. This involves a wide range of activities, including: Land acquisition, planning and design, financing, permitting and approvals, construction management, marketing and sales, and project management. They have a wide range of clients, from homebuyers to municipalities.
Average Salary - $140,498

Property Management

Manage rental properties on behalf of property owners, including tenant relations, maintenance, and rent collection. Typical clients include: Property owners who do not wish to manage their properties personally.
Average Salary - $85,793

Real Estate Investment

Focus on helping clients buy, sell, and manage investment properties. Typical clients include: Individual investors, investment groups, and real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Average Salary - $86,796


Part-Time Real Estate Agents 

It is quite common for real estate agents to only work in the field part-time. Since agents are compensated on a commission basis (most of the time), brokerages typically don't mind if their agents are part-time. It works really well as a second career, for people without the time to work a full-time job, or those just looking to use real estate as a side hustle.

Being able to start part-time and ease into the career full time is a huge advantage. The first year as an agent is typically the hardest and being able to subsidize their income while they build up their book of business is critical. A Part-time real estate agent salary is typically much less than a full-time agent but it's a great way to get your feet wet in the business or as a side hustle to make additional income.

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