Real Estate Agent Salary in Santa Ana, CA: $66,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Santa Ana, CA earns a median $66,569/year (≈ $32.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Santa Ana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $58,859 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Ana, California, real estate agents are projected to earn a median annual salary of $66,569 in 2026, reflecting the vibrant housing market and its impact on agent compensation. This salary is significantly higher than the national median of $53,622, illustrating the local market's robust dynamics. The salary range spans from $38,610 at the 10th percentile to $103,182 at the 90th percentile, suggesting opportunities for agents regardless of their experience level. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and cost of living, which indicate a competitive landscape for real estate professionals in Santa Ana.
About the Santa Ana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,929 | $23.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,569 | $32.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,208 | $40.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,182 | $49.60 |
Median Salary Position
24.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Ana
In Santa Ana, CA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,572 (2026 est.). At $66,569, the local median is 24.14% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Ana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Ana Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Santa Ana median: $66,569/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Ana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,801 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | +24.14% more |
Real Estate Agents in Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $66,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.14% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 6.00% above the California state average of $62,801.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Ana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Ana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,569 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,859 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,743
2025 BLS Actual
$65,585
2026 Current Est.
$66,569
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,743 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,011 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,047 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,247 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,585 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,567 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Ana metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $60,743 (2019) to $65,585 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,567 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,824 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Ana 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) | $38,610 – $47,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,929 – $66,569 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,569 – $85,208 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,208 – $103,182 |
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 Santa Ana
With 69 real estate agents currently employed in the area, the local job market demonstrates notable strength despite a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which slightly exceeds the national average. This higher cost of living directly affects purchasing power, making it crucial for agents to optimize their earning potential. Some of the highest-paying employers in Santa Ana include well-known national franchise brokerages such as Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker, as well as luxury specialty firms like Sotheby's. The variation in agent compensation often hinges on factors such as transaction volume, average sale prices, commission splits, and whether agents operate as solo practitioners or part of a team. Effective strategies for maximizing pay in this market may include focusing on high-commission sales, establishing a strong referral network, and adjusting to the commission structure changes stemming from the post-2024 NAR settlement. Understanding these dynamics is essential for agents navigating the competitive landscape of real estate in Santa Ana, CA.
More salary data for Santa Ana, 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 $65,585 for real estate agentsin the Santa Ana 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
Salary data for Santa Ana is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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