Real Estate Agent Pay

Dallas vs San Marcos: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Dallas, TX and San Marcos, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$45,249
$21.76/hr
San Marcos, TX
$47,509
$22.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXSan Marcos, TX
Median Salary$45,249$47,509
Hourly Rate$21.76$22.84
Entry Level (P10)$29,039$29,500
25th Percentile$37,423$35,685
75th Percentile$66,472$60,812
Top Earner (P90)$107,488$73,639
Total Employed6,95013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($45,249) and San Marcos ($47,509) real estate agent salaries.DallasSan MarcosMedian Salary$45,249$47,509Entry Level (P10)$29,039$29,500Top Earner (P90)$107,488$73,639US Median $53,622

Verdict

Dallas and San Marcos are closely matched on overall real estate agent compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Dallas and San Marcos is $2,260 (4.99%). San Marcos's median is -11.40% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $78,449,San Marcos spans $44,139. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$29,039
P25$37,423
Median$45,249
P75$66,472
P90 (Top)$107,488
San Marcos
P10 (Entry)$29,500
P25$35,685
Median$47,509
P75$60,812
P90 (Top)$73,639

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Marcos ($49,489 effective) pays 12.75% more than Dallas ($43,893 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $45,249
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $43,893
San Marcos
Nominal: $47,509
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $49,489

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,488)
  • Larger job market (6,950 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Marcos if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,509/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,489)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Dallas grew -37.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -33.2% growth in San Marcos over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+-37.5%

$71,380 (2019) → $44,580 (2025)

San Marcos, TX

+-33.2%

$70,025 (2024) → $46,807 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Dallas or San Marcos?

San Marcos has a higher median real estate agent salary at $47,509/year, compared to Dallas at $45,249/year — a difference of $2,260 (4.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and San Marcos?

Dallas real estate agents earn $21.76/hr while San Marcos hygienists earn $22.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to San Marcos as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and San Marcos. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $43,893, San Marcos = $49,489), job availability (6,950 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Dallas vs San Marcos?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $29,039 in Dallas and $29,500 in San Marcos. The San Marcos area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience as a real estate agent. She specializes in residential properties. She works with a large brokerage in Texas.

Clinically reviewed by David Chen, REALTOR®Data verified by Fatima Ali, REALTOR®

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov