Real Estate Agent pay
What real estate agents earn — and keep — in 2026
Real estate agents help clients buy, sell and rent property, earning mostly through commission. The BLS puts the median real estate sales agent at $56,320 (May 2024), with the top 10% above $112,000; licensed brokers earn a higher median of $72,280. Pay swings widely with the market, your sales volume and your commission split.
Where a real estate agent's paycheck goes
On the $56,320 median, a single agent sits in the 12%–22% federal bracket after the standard deduction, plus FICA. Agents can lower taxable income with a SEP-IRA or solo 401(k) and by deducting legitimate business expenses; enter retirement contributions in the pre-tax field.
The highest-paying states for real estate agents
Earnings run highest in New York, California, Colorado, Texas and Florida — driven as much by home prices as by state rules. A high-volume agent in no-tax Texas or Florida keeps the most after tax.
Compare real estate agent pay with other careers
See how a real estate agent compares with an insurance agent, a financial advisor or a marketing manager.
Questions
Real Estate Agent Salary Calculator FAQ
How much does a real estate agent make in 2026?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $56,320 for real estate sales agents (May 2024); licensed brokers earn a higher median of $72,280. The top 10% of agents earn over $112,000. Because pay is commission-based, earnings vary widely with sales volume, market and commission split.
What is a real estate agent's take-home pay on $56,320?
A single agent earning the $56,320 median takes home roughly $46,000 to $48,000 a year after federal income tax and employee-side FICA in a no-income-tax state. Most agents are self-employed, however, and owe the full 15.3% self-employment tax, which lowers net pay — enter your real commission income above.
Do real estate agents pay self-employment tax?
Most do. Commission-based agents are typically 1099 independent contractors who pay both the employee and employer halves of Social Security and Medicare — 15.3% self-employment tax — plus federal and state income tax. They can offset this with business-expense deductions and a SEP-IRA or solo 401(k).
Which states are best for a real estate agent's take-home pay?
No-income-tax states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee and Nevada let agents keep the most of each commission, and they also tend to have active housing markets. High-price markets in California and New York generate large commissions but pair them with high state income tax.
- Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents (median $56,320, May 2024) · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · SSA 2026 wage base · State departments of revenue.
- 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026
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