Real Estate Agent Salary in San Diego, CA: $63,620 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in San Diego, CA earns a median $63,620/year (≈ $30.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $56,861 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, real estate agents in San Diego, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $63,620, surpassing the national median of $53,622 by 18.65%. The salary range for agents in this market varies significantly, spanning from $40,661 at the lower end (P10) to $107,722 at the high end (P90). This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the dynamics of the local real estate environment, where compensation can differ markedly depending on whether an agent operates solo, works as part of a team, or engages in commercial real estate transactions. The competitive nature of the San Diego market and its high demand for housing place strong financial incentives on collaboration and specialization, further influencing pay structures within the industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,661 | $19.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,177 | $23.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,620 | $30.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,520 | $38.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,722 | $51.79 |
Median Salary Position
18.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,061 (2026 est.). At $63,620, the local median is 18.65% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
San Diego median: $63,620/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,804 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | +18.65% more |
Real Estate Agents in San Diego, CA earn a median of $63,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.65% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 1.30% above the California state average of $62,804.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,620 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,861 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,190
2025 BLS Actual
$62,680
2026 Current Est.
$63,620
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.9%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,183 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,353 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,620 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,575 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew -6.7% from $67,190 (2019) to $62,680 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,575 by 2027 — a total increase of $-2,615 (-3.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $40,661 – $49,177 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,177 – $63,620 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,620 – $80,520 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,520 – $107,722 |
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 San Diego
San Diego's job market for real estate agents remains robust, with approximately 1,350 individuals employed in this sector. However, the cost of living index at 111.887 indicates a higher-than-average expense for residents, which can impact disposable income for agents. National franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker typically offer better pay structures compared to independent or fee-based brokerages. Moreover, those working in luxury firms such as Sotheby's often see higher transaction volumes and larger commission splits. The divergence in earnings—rooted in factors such as commission arrangements, market specialization, and team affiliations—demands that agents adapt to maximize their earnings potential. Developing a strong referral network and staying informed about the evolving commission structures following the post-2024 NAR settlement will also be essential for success in this competitive San Diego market.
More salary data for San Diego, 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
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 $62,680 for real estate agentsin the San Diego 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, 5-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