Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $24.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Houston, TX runs $24.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,989 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,996 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, the projected median hourly pay for a real estate agent in 2026 is $24.04, which is slightly below the national median of $25.78. This rate reflects the industry dynamics, especially in a city where agents often work in varied settings, including brokerage offices, during property tours, at sellers' homes for listings, and at closings with clients. For part-time workers, typically logging around three days a week, the flexible nature of real estate allows for different earning strategies, although it can be affected by the commission-based structure prevalent in the industry. The hourly rate spans a range from $14.66 for entry-level positions to an impressive $68.31 for top earners, illustrating the potential for significant income based on experience and market acumen, according to official BLS estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.66 | $117.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.82 | $142.59 |
| Median (P50) | $24.04 | $192.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.83 | $326.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.31 | $546.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $24.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.04/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $49,993 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,842. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $961.41 | $4,166 | $49,993 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $576.84 | $2,500 | $29,996 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $384.56 | $1,666 | $19,997 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Houston) | $24.04 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $49,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.78% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 10.50% above the Texas state average of $45,239.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.04/hr = $29,996/year (purchasing power: $30,413).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,993/year (purchasing power: $50,688).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-26.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Houston grew -28.2% from $32.96/hr (2019) to $23.68/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.40/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 Houston 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 Houston
When considering part-time work as a real estate agent, individuals should expect to earn varying amounts depending on the hours they commit. For instance, a 3-day workweek of 24 hours at the median hourly rate translates to approximately $28,000 annually, which is substantially lower than a full-time commitment that many agents pursue. The structure of real estate pay is unique, as most agents operate under a 1099 independent contractor model, rendering per diem real estate agent pay uncommon. However, top producers can command hourly equivalents of $100-$300 based on commissions, while newer agents often struggle with hourly equivalents that may dip below minimum wage due to the unpaid hours spent on prospecting and client acquisition. Compensation can also vary by employer type, with national franchises offering certain benefits that come with a trade-off on hourly earnings. Practicing effective negotiation skills is essential in this competitive field, especially in Houston's diverse real estate market, which includes independent brokerages and luxury firms that often operate under different pay structures.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for real estate agents in Houston in 2026?
How much do part-time real estate agents make in Houston?
Are real estate agents in Houston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time real estate agent make per year in Houston?
Do real estate agents earn more per hour working part-time in Houston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Houston. 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