Real Estate Agent Pay

Los Angeles vs Richmond: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$47,725
$22.95/hr
Richmond, CA
$64,018
$30.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARichmond, CA
Median Salary$47,725$64,018
Hourly Rate$22.95$30.77
Entry Level (P10)$39,341$37,517
25th Percentile$43,554$46,511
75th Percentile$58,626$81,943
Top Earner (P90)$103,703$99,228
Total Employed7,34025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($47,725) and Richmond ($64,018) real estate agent salaries.Los AngelesRichmondMedian Salary$47,725$64,018Entry Level (P10)$39,341$37,517Top Earner (P90)$103,703$99,228US Median $53,622

Verdict

Los Angeles and Richmond are closely matched on overall real estate agent compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Richmond is $16,293 (34.14%). Richmond's median is +19.39% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $64,362,Richmond spans $61,711. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$39,341
P25$43,554
Median$47,725
P75$58,626
P90 (Top)$103,703
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$37,517
P25$46,511
Median$64,018
P75$81,943
P90 (Top)$99,228

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($56,603 effective) pays 34.69% more than Los Angeles ($42,024 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $47,725
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $42,024
Richmond
Nominal: $64,018
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $56,603

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,703)
  • Larger job market (7,340 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,018/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,603)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Los Angeles grew -23.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -40.5% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-23.1%

$61,160 (2019) → $47,020 (2025)

Richmond, CA

+-40.5%

$106,022 (2024) → $63,072 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Los Angeles or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median real estate agent salary at $64,018/year, compared to Los Angeles at $47,725/year — a difference of $16,293 (34.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Richmond?

Los Angeles real estate agents earn $22.95/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $30.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Richmond as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $42,024, Richmond = $56,603), job availability (7,340 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Los Angeles vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $39,341 in Los Angeles and $37,517 in Richmond. The Los Angeles 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