Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Brea, CA: $28.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Brea, CA runs $28.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,610 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Brea's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,772 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Brea, California, the real estate agent hourly pay stands at a median of $28.66, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $25.78. This competitive pay structure is beneficial for agents working part-time, particularly those operating three days a week, who can expect earnings based on local commission structures. For many realtors, their work environment fluctuates between brokerage offices, property tours, and remote settings, influencing their income due to the nature of commission-based remuneration. The hourly range in Brea extends from $18.67 for entry-level agents to $44.42 for seasoned professionals, reflecting a diverse earning potential that accommodates both novice real estate practitioners and high-earning veterans in the industry.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.67 | $149.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.03 | $176.20 |
| Median (P50) | $28.66 | $229.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.68 | $293.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.42 | $355.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brea
Based on $28.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.66/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brea, CA can expect to earn approximately $59,620 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,396. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,146.54 | $4,968 | $59,620 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.93 | $2,981 | $35,772 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.62 | $1,987 | $23,848 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Brea) | $28.66 |
| Real Estate Broker (National Avg) | $42.96 |
| Insurance Sales Agent (National Avg) | $29.02 |
| Property / Real Estate Manager (National Avg) | $33.79 |
| Appraiser / Assessor of Real Estate (National Avg) | $37.18 |
Real Estate Agents in Brea, CA earn a median of $59,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.17% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 5.10% below the California state average of $62,813.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.66/hr = $35,772/year (purchasing power: $31,629).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,620/year (purchasing power: $52,715).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Brea grew 8.0% from $26.16/hr (2019) to $28.24/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.09/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem real estate agents can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Real Estate Agent in Brea
Considering part-time work, a Brea real estate agent working 24 hours a week could make around $36,000 annually, which is a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts who often exceed $59,600. The nature of real estate work primarily centers on commission (1099 employment), making per-diem arrangements less common. Top producers can command impressive hourly equivalents—often between $100 and $300—while newer agents in their early years might earn less than $20 per hour once unpaid prospecting hours are factored in. Hourly rates also vary based on the type of brokerage; national franchises may offer more stability with higher base salaries, while local independents or fee-based firms may present different earning structures, often at the cost of benefits like health insurance. Agents in Brea should weigh these options carefully, considering their financial needs and career goals as they navigate hourly negotiations in this competitive market.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for real estate agents in Brea. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for real estate agents (SOC 41-9022).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov