Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Lake Forest, CA: $29.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Lake Forest, CA runs $29.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,686 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Lake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,014 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Forest, California, real estate agents earn a median hourly pay of $29.66, surpassing the national hourly median of $25.78. This competitive rate offers an attractive option for both part-time agents working three days a week and those taking on per-diem roles. Agents typically operate from various settings, including brokerage offices, during property tours, and at listing presentations, providing flexibility in their work arrangements. The range of hourly pay spans from $19.28 for entry-level positions to as high as $45.97 for the top earners in the field. These figures are reflective of projected earnings based on annual salary data, illustrating the earning potential associated with a career in real estate within the local market.
About the Lake Forest 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) | $19.28 | $154.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.28 | $178.23 |
| Median (P50) | $29.66 | $237.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.96 | $303.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.97 | $367.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Forest
Based on $29.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.66/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Forest, CA can expect to earn approximately $61,689 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,590. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,186.33 | $5,141 | $61,689 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $711.80 | $3,084 | $37,014 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.53 | $2,056 | $24,676 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Lake Forest) | $29.66 |
| 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 Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $61,686 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.04% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 1.80% below the California state average of $62,816.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.66/hr = $37,014/year (purchasing power: $32,726).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,689/year (purchasing power: $54,544).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Lake Forest grew 8.0% from $27.06/hr (2019) to $29.22/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.10/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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest
When considering part-time employment in this field, a real estate agent working 24 hours a week could earn approximately $36,700 annually before taxes. This approach contrasts sharply with full-time agents who have significantly greater earning potential. Since real estate compensation heavily relies on commissions, many agents operate as independent contractors, earning 1099 income, which can complicate the per-diem model as hourly pay varies widely based on individual sales performance. For example, high-performing agents may command extraordinary hourly equivalents ranging from $100 to $300, while newer agents might find themselves earning below minimum wage when accounting for unpaid tasks like prospecting. Furthermore, hourly rates can fluctuate significantly depending on the type of brokerage—national firms, local independents, and luxury specialties each present distinct pay structures and benefits. Agents often face a decision between higher pay rates without employer-provided benefits or more stable earnings with health insurance and other perks. Effective negotiation strategies can lead to better compensation in Lake Forest, especially as the market evolves following changes post-2024 NAR commission settlement.
More salary data for Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest. 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 Lake Forest 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