Real Estate Agent Pay

Riverside vs San Clemente: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Riverside, CA
$64,747
$31.13/hr
San Clemente, CA
$62,481
$30.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CASan Clemente, CA
Median Salary$64,747$62,481
Hourly Rate$31.13$30.04
Entry Level (P10)$36,104$37,109
25th Percentile$50,212$47,904
75th Percentile$65,173$79,976
Top Earner (P90)$65,173$96,846
Total Employed2,08010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($64,747) and San Clemente ($62,481) real estate agent salaries.RiversideSan ClementeMedian Salary$64,747$62,481Entry Level (P10)$36,104$37,109Top Earner (P90)$65,173$96,846US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Riverside and San Clemente is $2,266 (3.63%). Riverside's median is +20.75% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $29,069,San Clemente spans $59,737. San Clemente has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$36,104
P25$50,212
Median$64,747
P75$65,173
P90 (Top)$65,173
San Clemente
P10 (Entry)$37,109
P25$47,904
Median$62,481
P75$79,976
P90 (Top)$96,846

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($60,828 effective) pays 10.11% more than San Clemente ($55,244 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $64,747
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $60,828
San Clemente
Nominal: $62,481
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $55,244

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,747/year)
  • Larger job market (2,080 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,828)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Clemente if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($96,846)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Riverside grew 109.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -40.5% growth in San Clemente over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+109.8%

$30,400 (2021) → $63,790 (2025)

San Clemente, CA

+-40.5%

$103,477 (2024) → $61,558 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Riverside or San Clemente?

Riverside has a higher median real estate agent salary at $64,747/year, compared to San Clemente at $62,481/year — a difference of $2,266 (3.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and San Clemente?

Riverside real estate agents earn $31.13/hr while San Clemente hygienists earn $30.04/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and San Clemente. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $60,828, San Clemente = $55,244), job availability (2,080 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $36,104 in Riverside and $37,109 in San Clemente. The San Clemente area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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