Real Estate Agent Pay

Fontana vs Riverside: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Fontana, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fontana, CA
$65,338
$31.41/hr
Riverside, CA
$64,747
$31.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFontana, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$65,338$64,747
Hourly Rate$31.41$31.13
Entry Level (P10)$37,896$36,104
25th Percentile$47,043$50,212
75th Percentile$83,632$65,173
Top Earner (P90)$101,274$65,173
Total Employed322,080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fontana ($65,338) and Riverside ($64,747) real estate agent salaries.FontanaRiversideMedian Salary$65,338$64,747Entry Level (P10)$37,896$36,104Top Earner (P90)$101,274$65,173US Median $53,622

Verdict

Fontana, CA offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Fontana and Riverside is $591 (0.91%). Fontana's median is +21.85% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fontana spans $63,378,Riverside spans $29,069. Fontana has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fontana
P10 (Entry)$37,896
P25$47,043
Median$65,338
P75$83,632
P90 (Top)$101,274
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$36,104
P25$50,212
Median$64,747
P75$65,173
P90 (Top)$65,173

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($60,828 effective) pays 5.29% more than Fontana ($57,770 effective).

Fontana
Nominal: $65,338
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $57,770
Riverside
Nominal: $64,747
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $60,828

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fontana if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,338/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,274)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (2,080 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,828)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Fontana grew -40.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 109.8% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Fontana, CA

+-40.5%

$108,207 (2024) → $64,372 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+109.8%

$30,400 (2021) → $63,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Fontana or Riverside?

Fontana has a higher median real estate agent salary at $65,338/year, compared to Riverside at $64,747/year — a difference of $591 (0.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fontana and Riverside?

Fontana real estate agents earn $31.41/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $31.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fontana to Riverside as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fontana and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fontana = $57,770, Riverside = $60,828), job availability (32 vs 2,080 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Fontana vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $37,896 in Fontana and $36,104 in Riverside. The Fontana 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