Real Estate Agent Pay

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$72,055
$34.64/hr
Visalia, CA
$47,817
$22.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVisalia, CA
Median Salary$72,055$47,817
Hourly Rate$34.64$22.99
Entry Level (P10)$47,979$36,895
25th Percentile$57,094$40,844
75th Percentile$95,298$57,236
Top Earner (P90)$127,494$74,562
Total Employed2,100100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($72,055) and Visalia ($47,817) real estate agent salaries.San FranciscoVisaliaMedian Salary$72,055$47,817Entry Level (P10)$47,979$36,895Top Earner (P90)$127,494$74,562US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Visalia is $24,238 (50.69%). 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 San Francisco spans $79,515,Visalia spans $37,667. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$47,979
P25$57,094
Median$72,055
P75$95,298
P90 (Top)$127,494
Visalia
P10 (Entry)$36,895
P25$40,844
Median$47,817
P75$57,236
P90 (Top)$74,562

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($62,324 effective) pays 30.11% more than Visalia ($47,901 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $72,055
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $62,324
Visalia
Nominal: $47,817
CoL Index: 99.825
Adjusted: $47,901

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Visalia if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in San Francisco grew 19.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.7% growth in Visalia over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+19.6%

$59,350 (2019) → $70,990 (2025)

Visalia, CA

+2.7%

$45,850 (2021) → $47,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median real estate agent salary at $72,055/year, compared to Visalia at $47,817/year — a difference of $24,238 (50.69%).

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

San Francisco real estate agents earn $34.64/hr while Visalia hygienists earn $22.99/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Visalia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $62,324, Visalia = $47,901), job availability (2,100 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $47,979 in San Francisco and $36,895 in Visalia. 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