Real Estate Agent Pay

Fullerton vs San Francisco: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Fullerton, CA
$64,541
$31.03/hr
San Francisco, CA
$72,055
$34.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFullerton, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$64,541$72,055
Hourly Rate$31.03$34.64
Entry Level (P10)$38,658$47,979
25th Percentile$47,522$57,094
75th Percentile$82,612$95,298
Top Earner (P90)$100,038$127,494
Total Employed252,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fullerton ($64,541) and San Francisco ($72,055) real estate agent salaries.FullertonSan FranciscoMedian Salary$64,541$72,055Entry Level (P10)$38,658$47,979Top Earner (P90)$100,038$127,494US Median $53,622

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fullerton.

The salary gap between Fullerton and San Francisco is $7,514 (11.64%). San Francisco's median is +34.38% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fullerton spans $61,380,San Francisco spans $79,515. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Fullerton
P10 (Entry)$38,658
P25$47,522
Median$64,541
P75$82,612
P90 (Top)$100,038
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$47,979
P25$57,094
Median$72,055
P75$95,298
P90 (Top)$127,494

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($62,324 effective) pays 9.22% more than Fullerton ($57,065 effective).

Fullerton
Nominal: $64,541
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $57,065
San Francisco
Nominal: $72,055
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $62,324

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fullerton if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,055/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($127,494)
  • Larger job market (2,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,324)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Fullerton grew -40.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Fullerton, CA

+-40.5%

$106,888 (2024) → $63,587 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+19.6%

$59,350 (2019) → $70,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Fullerton or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median real estate agent salary at $72,055/year, compared to Fullerton at $64,541/year — a difference of $7,514 (11.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fullerton and San Francisco?

Fullerton real estate agents earn $31.03/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $34.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fullerton to San Francisco as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fullerton and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fullerton = $57,065, San Francisco = $62,324), job availability (25 vs 2,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Fullerton vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $38,658 in Fullerton and $47,979 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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