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.
US Average
$69,510
BLS, May 2025
Best State (Net)
$82,024
New York
Take-Home TX
$53,291
on $63,610 · No state tax
Job Growth
3%
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
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
US Pay Range
Pay percentiles for Real Estate Agents across the US (BLS, May 2025), with the estimated take-home in Texas.
Bottom 10%
$32,970
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$28,671
25th percentile
$40,040
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$34,352
Median
$52,830
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$44,629
75th percentile
$82,020
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$66,531
Top 10%
$123,590
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$95,740
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
BLS average pay in each state (BLS, May 2025) and the estimated take-home for a single filer with no additional deductions. BLS publishes no figure for 3 states: they show the US average, marked "US figure", at the end of the table. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Average Pay (BLS) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $112,730 | $82,024 | |
| $88,330 | $70,970 | |
| $92,310 | $69,692 | |
| $84,480 | $68,262 | |
| $89,580 | $68,149 | |
| $83,470 | $67,551 | |
| $85,520 | $66,134 | |
| $80,820 | $62,333 | |
| $79,100 | $61,548 | |
| $73,600 | $60,608 | |
| $72,320 | $59,578 | |
| $74,610 | $58,850 | |
| $70,160 | $58,188 | |
14Colorado | $73,650 | $58,111 |
| $69,510 | $57,730 | |
16Arizona | $70,070 | $56,775 |
17Virginia | $72,040 | $56,182 |
18Oklahoma | $69,060 | $54,852 |
| $67,570 | $53,307 | |
| $63,610 | $53,291 | |
| $65,330 | $52,667 | |
22Georgia | $65,250 | $52,101 |
23Maryland | $67,460 | $52,077 |
24Maine | $64,840 | $51,580 |
| $64,190 | $51,455 | |
26Michigan | $64,380 | $51,424 |
| $64,260 | $51,313 | |
28Kentucky | $63,180 | $50,851 |
29Oregon | $65,740 | $50,582 |
| $62,640 | $49,876 | |
| $61,300 | $49,514 | |
| $61,420 | $48,878 | |
33Ohio | $59,310 | $48,647 |
| $57,350 | $48,261 | |
35Hawaii | $61,130 | $48,150 |
36Delaware | $58,630 | $46,712 |
37Indiana | $57,030 | $46,351 |
38Nebraska | $56,920 | $46,205 |
39Missouri | $56,080 | $45,574 |
40Illinois | $57,260 | $45,499 |
41Arkansas | $55,080 | $44,886 |
| $52,450 | $44,324 | |
43Utah | $53,610 | $43,376 |
| $52,680 | $43,133 | |
| $51,560 | $42,437 | |
46Kansas | $47,960 | $38,839 |
47Idaho | $46,650 | $38,299 |
48Iowa | $69,510US figure | $55,741 |
49Vermont | $69,510US figure | $55,667 |
| $69,510US figure | $54,475 |
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
$62,333
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$70,970
net
Arizona
$56,775
net
Arkansas
$44,886
net
California
$53,307
net
Colorado
$58,111
net
Connecticut
$49,876
net
Delaware
$46,712
net
FloridaNo state tax
$60,608
net
Georgia
$52,101
net
Hawaii
$48,150
net
Idaho
$38,299
net
Illinois
$45,499
net
Indiana
$46,351
net
Iowa
$55,741
net
Kansas
$38,839
net
Kentucky
$50,851
net
Louisiana
$42,437
net
Maine
$51,580
net
Maryland
$52,077
net
Massachusetts
$54,475
net
Michigan
$51,424
net
Minnesota
$48,878
net
Mississippi
$43,133
net
Missouri
$45,574
net
Montana
$68,149
net
Nebraska
$46,205
net
NevadaNo state tax
$67,551
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$58,188
net
New Jersey
$69,692
net
New Mexico
$66,134
net
New York
$82,024
net
North Carolina
$58,850
net
North Dakota
$59,578
net
Ohio
$48,647
net
Oklahoma
$54,852
net
Oregon
$50,582
net
Pennsylvania
$52,667
net
Rhode Island
$51,313
net
South Carolina
$61,548
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$57,730
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$48,261
net
TexasNo state tax
$53,291
net
Utah
$43,376
net
Vermont
$55,667
net
Virginia
$56,182
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$68,262
net
West Virginia
$49,514
net
Wisconsin
$51,455
net
WyomingNo state tax
$44,324
net