Real Estate Agent Salary in Santa Maria, CA: $58,870 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Santa Maria, CA earns a median $58,870/year (≈ $28.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Santa Maria's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.8), that paycheck buys what $54,109 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Maria, California, the projected median annual salary for real estate agents in 2026 stands at $58,870, which reflects a competitive edge of approximately 9.79% compared to the national median of $53,622. This salary encompasses a broad range, with the 10th percentile earning around $43,412 and the 90th percentile reaching up to $99,785. Revenue opportunities for agents are significantly influenced by local transaction volume and the average price point of properties sold. As housing demand fluctuates, so too does the earning potential, making the Santa Maria market an intriguing prospect for new agents and seasoned professionals alike. These figures come from rigorous analysis performed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, adding a level of credibility to Santa Maria's real estate job market outlook.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,412 | $20.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,248 | $22.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,558 | $34.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,785 | $47.97 |
Median Salary Position
9.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, CA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,373 (2026 est.). At $58,870, the local median is 9.79% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Maria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Maria Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Santa Maria median: $58,870/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Maria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,828 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | +9.79% more |
Real Estate Agents in Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $58,870 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.79% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 6.30% below the California state average of $62,828.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Maria has a cost of living 8.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Maria, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.798 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,870 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,109 — a 8.09% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,320
2025 BLS Actual
$58,000
2026 Current Est.
$58,870
2019–2027 Growth
+0.7%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,870 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,753 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Maria metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew -2.2% from $59,320 (2019) to $58,000 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,753 by 2027 — a total increase of $433 (0.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Maria 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) | $43,412 – $47,248 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,248 – $58,870 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,870 – $71,558 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,558 – $99,785 |
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 Maria
Navigating the job market for real estate agents in Santa Maria reveals that approximately 140 professionals are actively employed in this sector. The cost of living index, currently at 108.798, indicates that the market is above the national average, which may impact earning power and lifestyle for agents in the area. High-performing agents often align with reputable national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams or Coldwell Banker, as these organizations typically offer substantial commission structures and robust support systems. Factors driving salary variations include transaction volume, average sale prices, and commission splits with brokerages, which can range significantly. As the real estate landscape evolves, particularly following the 2024 NAR settlement, agents must adopt new strategies, whether through specialization in luxury markets or efficient team-based operations. Understanding the competitive nuances of commission structures while fostering a strong local network will be critical for agents aspiring to enhance their income in Santa Maria, CA.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 $58,000 for real estate agentsin the Santa Maria 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