Real Estate Agent Salary in San Francisco, CA: $72,055 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in San Francisco, CA earns a median $72,055/year (≈ $34.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $62,324 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, real estate agents in San Francisco can anticipate a median annual salary of $72,055, reflecting a substantial advantage over the national median of $53,622. The salary spectrum for agents in this competitive market ranges from $47,979 at the low end (P10) to $127,494 at the high end (P90), showcasing the potential earnings based on varying degrees of experience and specialization. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, reveals that San Francisco provides an attractive environment for real estate agents, particularly those affiliated with successful brokerage teams or commercial firms, as these structures often offer enhanced earning potential compared to those operating solo.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,979 | $23.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,094 | $27.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,055 | $34.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,298 | $45.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,494 | $61.30 |
Median Salary Position
34.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,515 (2026 est.). At $72,055, the local median is 34.38% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $72,055/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,820 | +14.70% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | +34.38% more |
Real Estate Agents in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $72,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.38% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 14.70% above the California state average of $62,820.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,055 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,324 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,350
2025 BLS Actual
$70,990
2026 Current Est.
$72,055
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,055 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 19.6% from $59,350 (2019) to $70,990 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,786 (23.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $47,979 – $57,094 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,094 – $72,055 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,055 – $95,298 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,298 – $127,494 |
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 Francisco
With approximately 2,100 real estate agents practicing in San Francisco, the job market is both dynamic and robust. However, the cost of living is a significant factor, with a cost of living index at 115.613, which can diminish take-home purchasing power for agents. Large national franchise brokerages such as Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker are among the highest payers, particularly those that establish strong teams that allow for higher transaction volumes. The range in earnings reflects various factors, including commission splits with brokerages and specialization in high-value sectors like luxury or commercial real estate. To maximize income in this competitive landscape, agents should cultivate a broad referral network, remain adaptable to the evolving commission structures post-2024 NAR settlement, and consider joining or forming teams to leverage shared resources and market strategies that capitalize on San Francisco’s high property values and transaction density.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $70,990 for real estate agentsin the San Francisco 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