Real Estate Agent Salary by State 2026: Complete Income Guide
Last updated: January 31, 2026 | Data from BLS, NAR, and U.S. Census Bureau
How much do real estate agents actually make? The answer varies dramatically by state, with top earners in New York making over 2x what agents earn in Mississippi. This comprehensive guide breaks down real estate agent salaries across all 50 states, including median income, mean earnings, and what the top 10% make.
Key Findings: Real Estate Agent Income 2026
National Median Salary
$56,620
50th percentile, all agents
National Mean Salary
$65,850
Average across all agents
Total Licensed Agents
1,482,640
Active agents nationwide
Important Note on Agent Income
Real estate agents are typically independent contractors, not employees. Income varies significantly based on experience, brokerage splits, hours worked, and market conditions. The "median" represents what a typical full-time agent earns, while "mean" is skewed higher by top performers.
Quick Stats at a Glance
- Highest paying state: New York ($102,340 median)
- Lowest paying state: Mississippi ($43,800 median)
- Salary range: $43,800 to $102,340 (133% difference)
- Top 10% nationally earn: $125,000+ per year
- Bottom 10% earn: Less than $28,000 per year
- Most agents: Florida (198,450 licensed agents)
Real Estate Agent Salary by State: Complete Table
Below is the complete breakdown of real estate agent salaries across all 50 states plus Washington D.C., sorted by median salary (highest to lowest).
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Top 10% | Active Agents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $102,340 | $118,750 | $198,500 | 58,420 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $98,400 | $113,500 | $193,800 | 8,920 |
| 3 | California | $95,870 | $112,400 | $187,600 | 142,350 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $89,450 | $104,200 | $175,800 | 24,680 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $87,200 | $98,750 | $168,400 | 14,250 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $85,600 | $97,800 | $165,200 | 32,450 |
| 7 | Washington | $84,200 | $96,400 | $162,500 | 28,760 |
| 8 | Colorado | $82,500 | $94,800 | $158,700 | 31,240 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $81,200 | $93,500 | $155,400 | 8,920 |
| 10 | Maryland | $79,800 | $91,200 | $152,800 | 26,480 |
| 11 | Virginia | $78,500 | $89,600 | $149,500 | 38,920 |
| 12 | Alaska | $72,800 | $83,900 | $143,200 | 2,460 |
| 13 | Texas | $72,400 | $84,200 | $142,600 | 156,780 |
| 14 | Florida | $68,900 | $79,800 | $136,400 | 198,450 |
| 15 | Delaware | $68,400 | $78,800 | $134,600 | 4,890 |
| 16 | Arizona | $67,200 | $77,500 | $132,800 | 48,620 |
| 17 | Illinois | $66,800 | $76,900 | $131,500 | 52,340 |
| 18 | Nevada | $65,400 | $75,200 | $128,900 | 18,760 |
| 19 | Oregon | $64,800 | $74,500 | $127,400 | 16,890 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $64,200 | $74,000 | $126,400 | 4,560 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $63,200 | $72,800 | $124,600 | 42,680 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $62,800 | $72,400 | $123,600 | 5,890 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $62,400 | $71,900 | $123,200 | 56,420 |
| 24 | Georgia | $61,800 | $71,200 | $121,800 | 62,480 |
| 25 | Tennessee | $60,200 | $69,400 | $118,600 | 34,560 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $59,800 | $68,900 | $117,800 | 22,450 |
| 27 | Utah | $59,200 | $68,200 | $116,400 | 18,920 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $58,400 | $67,300 | $114,800 | 28,760 |
| 29 | Ohio | $57,600 | $66,400 | $113,200 | 38,940 |
| 30 | Michigan | $56,800 | $65,500 | $111,800 | 32,680 |
| 31 | Vermont | $56,400 | $65,000 | $111,000 | 2,680 |
| 32 | Indiana | $55,200 | $63,600 | $108,600 | 22,340 |
| 33 | Missouri | $54,800 | $63,100 | $107,800 | 24,560 |
| 34 | Maine | $54,600 | $62,900 | $107,400 | 6,420 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $54,200 | $62,400 | $106,400 | 18,760 |
| 36 | Idaho | $52,800 | $60,800 | $103,800 | 9,240 |
| 37 | Alabama | $52,400 | $60,400 | $103,200 | 18,420 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $51,800 | $59,700 | $102,000 | 14,680 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $51,200 | $59,000 | $100,800 | 16,890 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $50,400 | $58,100 | $99,200 | 14,250 |
| 41 | Iowa | $49,800 | $57,400 | $98,000 | 10,240 |
| 42 | Kansas | $49,200 | $56,700 | $96,800 | 9,860 |
| 43 | Montana | $48,600 | $56,000 | $95,600 | 5,680 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $48,400 | $55,800 | $95,200 | 10,680 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $47,800 | $55,100 | $94,000 | 6,890 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $47,200 | $54,400 | $92,800 | 8,420 |
| 47 | Wyoming | $46,800 | $53,900 | $92,000 | 2,480 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $46,200 | $53,200 | $90,800 | 3,240 |
| 49 | North Dakota | $45,800 | $52,800 | $90,000 | 2,860 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $44,200 | $50,900 | $86,900 | 4,240 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $43,800 | $50,500 | $86,200 | 6,890 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 data release. Agent counts from state licensing boards and NAR membership data.
Top 10 Highest Paying States for Real Estate Agents
If maximizing income is your goal, these states offer the highest earning potential for real estate agents:
New York
58,420 active agents
$102,340
median salary
District of Columbia
8,920 active agents
$98,400
median salary
California
142,350 active agents
$95,870
median salary
Massachusetts
24,680 active agents
$89,450
median salary
Connecticut
14,250 active agents
$87,200
median salary
New Jersey
32,450 active agents
$85,600
median salary
Washington
28,760 active agents
$84,200
median salary
Colorado
31,240 active agents
$82,500
median salary
Hawaii
8,920 active agents
$81,200
median salary
Maryland
26,480 active agents
$79,800
median salary
Why Do Some States Pay More?
Higher salaries in states like New York, California, and Massachusetts correlate with:
- Higher home prices: Commission-based income means higher sale prices = higher earnings
- Cost of living: Expensive markets require higher incomes to maintain living standards
- Market competition: Dense urban areas have more transactions per agent
- Luxury market presence: States with significant luxury inventory boost averages
10 Lowest Paying States for Real Estate Agents
These states have the lowest median salaries for real estate agents, though lower cost of living often offsets the difference:
Mississippi
Cost index: 0.81
$43,800
median salary
West Virginia
Cost index: 0.81
$44,200
median salary
North Dakota
Cost index: 0.88
$45,800
median salary
South Dakota
Cost index: 0.86
$46,200
median salary
Wyoming
Cost index: 0.90
$46,800
median salary
New Mexico
Cost index: 0.89
$47,200
median salary
Nebraska
Cost index: 0.86
$47,800
median salary
Arkansas
Cost index: 0.82
$48,400
median salary
Montana
Cost index: 0.93
$48,600
median salary
Kansas
Cost index: 0.85
$49,200
median salary
States with Most Real Estate Agents
More agents means more competition. Here are the states with the highest number of licensed real estate agents:
| Rank | State | Licensed Agents | Median Salary | Agents per 10k Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 198,450 | $68,900 | 87.8 |
| 2 | Texas | 156,780 | $72,400 | 51.4 |
| 3 | California | 142,350 | $95,870 | 36.3 |
| 4 | Georgia | 62,480 | $61,800 | 62.5 |
| 5 | New York | 58,420 | $102,340 | 58.4 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 56,420 | $62,400 | 56.4 |
| 7 | Illinois | 52,340 | $66,800 | 52.3 |
| 8 | Arizona | 48,620 | $67,200 | 48.6 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 42,680 | $63,200 | 42.7 |
| 10 | Ohio | 38,940 | $57,600 | 38.9 |
Factors That Affect Real Estate Agent Income
State averages tell only part of the story. Individual agent income varies based on several key factors:
1. Experience Level
- Year 1: Most new agents earn $15,000 to $35,000
- Years 2-4: Average rises to $40,000 to $65,000
- Years 5-9: Experienced agents average $65,000 to $100,000
- 10+ years: Top performers exceed $150,000 annually
2. Full-Time vs Part-Time
According to NAR data:
- Full-time agents (40+ hrs/week): Median income of $75,000
- Part-time agents (<40 hrs/week): Median income of $24,000
3. Brokerage Commission Split
Agents share commissions with their brokerage. Typical splits:
- New agents: 50/50 to 60/40 (agent/brokerage)
- Experienced agents: 70/30 to 80/20
- Top producers: 90/10 or 100% with desk fees
4. Market Specialization
Agents who specialize typically earn more:
- Luxury agents: 40-60% higher than average
- Commercial agents: 25-50% higher than residential
- Investment property specialists: Higher transaction volume
Real Estate Agent Income vs Other Professions
How does real estate agent pay compare to similar professions?
| Profession | Median Salary | Requires License | Commission-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent | $56,620 | Yes | Yes |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $57,860 | Yes | Partial |
| Financial Advisor | $94,170 | Yes | Partial |
| Mortgage Loan Officer | $65,740 | Yes | Yes |
| Property Manager | $59,230 | Varies | No |
How to Maximize Your Real Estate Income
Based on the data, here are proven strategies to increase your earnings as a real estate agent:
- Work full-time: Full-time agents earn 3x more than part-timers
- Build experience: Income typically doubles from year 1 to year 5
- Negotiate your split: As you prove yourself, negotiate better commission splits
- Specialize: Luxury, commercial, or investment property specialists earn more
- Consider relocation: Moving to a higher-paying state can boost income 50%+
- Build a team: Team leaders earn significantly more through overrides
Methodology and Data Sources
This analysis uses data from multiple authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release
- National Association of REALTORS (NAR): Member Profile and compensation surveys
- State licensing boards: Active licensee counts by state
- U.S. Census Bureau: Cost of living index data
Important notes:
- BLS classifies real estate agents under "Real Estate Sales Agents" (SOC 41-9022)
- Data reflects gross income before business expenses (which average 15-25% of gross)
- Figures include both residential and commercial agents
- Part-time agents are included in averages, which lowers overall figures
Cite this page:
"Real Estate Agent Salary by State 2026." Real Estate Agent Near Me. Updated January 31, 2026. https://realestateagentnearme.com/real-estate-agent-salary-by-state/
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a real estate agent make per sale?
On a typical home sale, the total commission is 5-6% of the sale price, split between the buyer's and seller's agents. On a $400,000 home with a 5.5% commission, each agent's brokerage receives about $11,000. After the agent's split (typically 60-80%), an individual agent might net $6,600-$8,800 per sale before expenses.
Why is the mean salary higher than the median?
Top-earning agents (the top 10-20%) make significantly more than average, which pulls the mean (average) higher than the median (middle value). The median is usually a better representation of what a "typical" agent earns.
Do real estate agents pay their own taxes?
Yes. Most real estate agents are independent contractors (1099), not employees (W-2). They're responsible for self-employment tax (15.3%), quarterly estimated tax payments, and cannot have taxes withheld from commissions automatically.
What percentage of real estate agents fail?
Industry data suggests 75-90% of new agents leave the business within 5 years. The most common reasons are unrealistic income expectations, insufficient savings to weather the learning curve, and underestimating the time required to build a client base.
Is real estate a good career in 2026?
Real estate can be lucrative for self-motivated individuals who enjoy sales and can handle income variability. The NAR settlement has changed commission structures, making transparent value delivery more important than ever. Success requires treating it as a full-time business, not a side hustle.