Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Washington, DC: $38.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Washington, DC runs $38.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,332 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Washington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.9, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,603 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Washington, DC, the real estate agent hourly pay stands at a median of $38.14, significantly exceeding the national average of $25.78. This premium hourly rate reflects the competitive nature of the real estate market in the District, offering attractive opportunities for part-time and per-diem work. Agents often divide their time between various environments, ranging from brokerage offices to client property tours, and even conducting listing presentations at sellers’ homes. The hourly wage can start as low as $18.56 for entry-level positions, rising to $60.40 for top earners in the field, indicating a broad spectrum of income potential driven by experience and client engagement. These figures are derived from projected data based on the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) information, emphasizing the lucrative prospects within this profession.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.56 | $148.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.37 | $178.96 |
| Median (P50) | $38.14 | $305.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.66 | $429.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.40 | $483.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Washington
Based on $38.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.14/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Washington, DC can expect to earn approximately $79,339 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,772. With a cost-of-living index of 108.88 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Washington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Washington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,525.75 | $6,612 | $79,339 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $915.45 | $3,967 | $47,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $610.30 | $2,645 | $31,736 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Washington) | $38.14 |
| 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 Washington, DC earn a median of $79,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 47.95% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 26.40% above the District of Columbia state average of $62,763.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.14/hr = $47,603/year (purchasing power: $43,719).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,339/year (purchasing power: $72,866).
CoL index: 108.884 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+64.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Washington grew 60.1% from $23.48/hr (2019) to $37.58/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.72/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 Washington 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 Washington
For part-time agents working three days a week, often clocking around 24 hours, the annual income can be a balance between a satisfying supplemental income and full-time salaries. However, since real estate is primarily commission-based, per diem real estate agent pay can vary dramatically. While top-producing agents might earn an hourly equivalent of $100 to $300, those new to the field may see earnings below minimum wage, particularly when unpaid prospecting hours are factored in. Moreover, hourly rates can differ across employer types; agents with national franchises or luxury firms might command higher hourly compensation, while independent or discount brokerages may offer lower pay but provide additional benefits such as health insurance. As the industry adapts post-2024 NAR commission settlement, understanding these nuances of hourly compensation and strategically selecting agency affiliations will be key for agents in Washington navigating their careers in an ever-changing real estate environment.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
Career Resources
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 Washington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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