Real Estate Agent Pay

San Francisco vs West Sacramento: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$72,055
$34.64/hr
West Sacramento, CA
$61,854
$29.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAWest Sacramento, CA
Median Salary$72,055$61,854
Hourly Rate$34.64$29.74
Entry Level (P10)$47,979$40,497
25th Percentile$57,094$48,029
75th Percentile$95,298$79,173
Top Earner (P90)$127,494$95,874
Total Employed2,1009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($72,055) and West Sacramento ($61,854) real estate agent salaries.San FranciscoWest SacramentoMedian Salary$72,055$61,854Entry Level (P10)$47,979$40,497Top Earner (P90)$127,494$95,874US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and West Sacramento is $10,201 (16.49%). 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,West Sacramento spans $55,377. 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
West Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$40,497
P25$48,029
Median$61,854
P75$79,173
P90 (Top)$95,874

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($62,324 effective) pays 13.96% more than West Sacramento ($54,690 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $72,055
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $62,324
West Sacramento
Nominal: $61,854
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $54,690

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 West Sacramento 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 -40.5% growth in West Sacramento over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+19.6%

$59,350 (2019) → $70,990 (2025)

West Sacramento, CA

+-40.5%

$102,439 (2024) → $60,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median real estate agent salary at $72,055/year, compared to West Sacramento at $61,854/year — a difference of $10,201 (16.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and West Sacramento?

San Francisco real estate agents earn $34.64/hr while West Sacramento hygienists earn $29.74/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and West Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $62,324, West Sacramento = $54,690), job availability (2,100 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $47,979 in San Francisco and $40,497 in West Sacramento. 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