Real Estate Agent Salary in Chico, CA: $57,561 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Chico, CA earns a median $57,561/year (≈ $27.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $56,880 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual income for real estate agents is projected to reach $57,561 in Chico, California, reflecting the area's competitive market dynamics. This number is not only a representation of local compensation but also signifies a 7.35% increase compared to the national median of $53,622 for the same year. With a salary range stretching from $41,290 at the 10th percentile to $95,704 at the 90th percentile, the variation in pay highlights both the opportunities available and the challenges faced by agents in this market. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures indicate a thriving real estate economy fueled by active transaction volumes and average property prices, which significantly influence agents' earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,290 | $19.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,233 | $23.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,561 | $27.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,031 | $31.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,704 | $46.01 |
Median Salary Position
7.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,414 (2026 est.). At $57,561, the local median is 7.35% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chico Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Chico median: $57,561/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,839 | -8.40% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | +7.35% more |
Real Estate Agents in Chico, CA earn a median of $57,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.35% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 8.40% below the California state average of $62,839.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,561 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,880 — a 1.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$31,750
2025 BLS Actual
$56,710
2026 Current Est.
$57,561
2019–2027 Growth
+84.0%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,561 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,424 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 78.6% from $31,750 (2019) to $56,710 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,424 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,674 (84.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,290 – $48,233 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,233 – $57,561 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,561 – $65,031 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,031 – $95,704 |
REA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual real estate agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Real Estate Agent Job Market in Chico
The real estate job market in Chico, CA is anchored by about 50 active agents, who must consider the local cost of living index, currently rated at 101.197, indicating a slightly above-average living expense. For agents, this means take-home pay needs to be carefully managed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Among the highest-paying employers are well-known national franchise brokerages such as Keller Williams and RE/MAX along with luxury specialty firms like Sotheby’s and Christie's International. Compensation differences are largely driven by factors such as transaction volume, commission structures, and the type of brokerage. Given the evolving landscape, especially following the 2024 NAR commission settlement that decouples buyer agent commissions, agents must strategically choose between solo and team-based operations. To maximize pay in Chico’s market, real estate professionals should cultivate referral networks and consider specializing in high-value sectors like commercial or luxury properties for greater earning potential.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do real estate agents make in Chico, CA in 2026?
Is Chico, CA a good place to work as a real estate agent?
Can real estate agents make $100K in Chico?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted real estate agent salary in Chico?
How much does a real estate agent make per hour in Chico?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $56,710 for real estate agentsin the Chico metropolitan area. A 1.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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