Real Estate Agent Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Real estate agents help clients buy, sell, and rent residential or commercial properties, earning income primarily through commission. Top 20% earn 3-5x median through luxury specialization, team-build models, and referral pipelines.
National Median
$85,000
Best State (Net)
$70,656
New York
Take-Home TX
$68,628
No state tax
Job Growth
3%
Key Facts — Real Estate Agent 2026
BLS median: $54,300 for real estate sales agents (BLS May 2023 OES) — but top 20% routinely earn $200K+
AB5 (CA) and similar laws specifically EXEMPT real estate — 1099 status preserved
Section 199A QBI 20% deduction applies (real estate brokerage is NOT an SSTB)
Solo 401(k) at $200K+ + Defined Benefit at $400K+ shelters $250K-$300K/year for top producers
Keller Williams HQ (Austin), RE/MAX HQ (Denver), Compass HQ (NYC) — major brokerage origins
Top luxury markets: Beverly Hills, Manhattan, Palm Beach, Atherton — $20M+ deals routine
Salary by Experience Level
New Agent (year 1-2)
$35,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$30,303
Building book; marketing costs eat most of commission
Established Agent (year 3-5)
$80,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$65,110
7-10 deals/year median
Senior Producer (year 5-10)
$200,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$148,927
Top 20%; referral pipeline
Luxury Specialist / Team Lead
$500,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$340,477
Top tier; $2M-$10M+ for top luxury
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Specialist (Beverly Hills/Manhattan/Palm Beach) | $510,000 | +500% |
| Tech-Buyer Specialist (Bay Area/Seattle/Austin) | $212,500 | +150% |
| Commercial Real Estate Agent | $187,000 | +120% |
| New Construction (Sponsor-paid) | $127,500 | +50% |
| Buyer's Agent (Team Member) | $68,000 | -20% |
| Property Manager | $76,500 | -10% |
Best States for Real Estate Agents — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Real Estate Agent Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $95,000 | $70,656 | |
| $85,000 | $68,628 | |
| $90,000 | $66,850 | |
| $88,000 | $66,558 | |
| $80,000 | $65,110 | |
| $80,000 | $65,110 | |
| $78,000 | $63,703 | |
| $82,000 | $63,139 | |
| $82,000 | $62,607 | |
| $75,000 | $61,593 | |
11Arizona | $75,000 | $60,120 |
12Virginia | $78,000 | $59,979 |
| $72,000 | $59,482 | |
14Colorado | $75,000 | $59,001 |
15Hawaii | $78,000 | $58,828 |
16Maryland | $78,000 | $58,754 |
17Oregon | $78,000 | $58,180 |
| $68,000 | $56,668 | |
| $72,000 | $56,607 | |
| $72,000 | $56,109 | |
21Utah | $70,000 | $55,253 |
22Illinois | $70,000 | $54,755 |
| $68,000 | $54,580 | |
24Georgia | $68,000 | $54,023 |
25Delaware | $68,000 | $53,521 |
| $65,000 | $52,413 | |
27Missouri | $65,000 | $52,329 |
| $65,000 | $52,323 | |
29Vermont | $65,000 | $52,228 |
| $65,000 | $52,020 | |
31Michigan | $65,000 | $51,896 |
32Ohio | $62,000 | $50,734 |
| $60,000 | $50,390 | |
34Montana | $62,000 | $49,840 |
35Idaho | $62,000 | $49,819 |
36Maine | $62,000 | $49,105 |
| $60,000 | $48,965 | |
| $58,000 | $48,783 | |
| $60,000 | $48,736 | |
40Iowa | $60,000 | $48,722 |
41Nebraska | $60,000 | $48,364 |
42Indiana | $58,000 | $47,102 |
43Kentucky | $58,000 | $46,871 |
44Oklahoma | $58,000 | $46,719 |
| $55,000 | $46,373 | |
46Alabama | $58,000 | $46,362 |
47Kansas | $58,000 | $46,346 |
48Arkansas | $55,000 | $44,796 |
| $52,000 | $41,974 | |
| $50,000 | $40,911 |
Job Market Outlook
3% growth projected 2022-2032 — about average. Top 20% earn 3-5x median through luxury specialization, team-build models, and post-2020 migration pipeline. Bottom 50% exit within 2-3 years due to year 1-2 grind.
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Real Estate Agent
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Real Estate Agent Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$46,362
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$59,482
net
Arizona
$60,120
net
Arkansas
$44,796
net
California
$66,850
net
Colorado
$59,001
net
Connecticut
$62,607
net
Delaware
$53,521
net
FloridaNo state tax
$68,628
net
Georgia
$54,023
net
Hawaii
$58,828
net
Idaho
$49,819
net
Illinois
$54,755
net
Indiana
$47,102
net
Iowa
$48,722
net
Kansas
$46,346
net
Kentucky
$46,871
net
Louisiana
$48,965
net
Maine
$49,105
net
Maryland
$58,754
net
Massachusetts
$66,558
net
Michigan
$51,896
net
Minnesota
$56,109
net
Mississippi
$41,974
net
Missouri
$52,329
net
Montana
$49,840
net
Nebraska
$48,364
net
NevadaNo state tax
$63,703
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$61,593
net
New Jersey
$63,139
net
New Mexico
$48,736
net
New York
$70,656
net
North Carolina
$52,323
net
North Dakota
$48,783
net
Ohio
$50,734
net
Oklahoma
$46,719
net
Oregon
$58,180
net
Pennsylvania
$54,580
net
Rhode Island
$56,607
net
South Carolina
$52,413
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$46,373
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$56,668
net
TexasNo state tax
$65,110
net
Utah
$55,253
net
Vermont
$52,228
net
Virginia
$59,979
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$65,110
net
West Virginia
$40,911
net
Wisconsin
$52,020
net
WyomingNo state tax
$50,390
net