Real Estate Agent Salary in Denver, CO: $45,776 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Denver, CO earns a median $45,776/year (≈ $22.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $43,274 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.7% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected real estate agent salary in Denver for 2026 reaches a median of $45,776, significantly below the national average of $53,622. With a salary range extending from $37,596 at the lower percentile to $122,906 for the top earners, it reflects the dynamics of a market characterized by substantial transaction volumes and rising average property prices. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reveals that while Denver's real estate opportunities are robust, compensation doesn't fully align with national trends. The unique conditions in Denver's housing market are critical for potential agents to understand as they consider their earnings potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,596 | $18.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,596 | $18.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,776 | $22.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,310 | $42.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,906 | $59.09 |
Median Salary Position
14.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,310 (2026 est.). At $45,776, the local median is 14.63% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Denver Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Denver median: $45,776/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $56,306 | -18.70% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -14.63% less |
Real Estate Agents in Denver, CO earn a median of $45,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.63% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 18.70% below the Colorado state average of $56,306.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $45,776 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,274 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,050
2025 BLS Actual
$45,100
2026 Current Est.
$45,776
2019–2027 Growth
+-40.5%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,355 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,776 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,463 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew -42.2% from $78,050 (2019) to $45,100 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,463 by 2027 — a total increase of $-31,587 (-40.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $37,596 – $37,596 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,596 – $45,776 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,776 – $89,310 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,310 – $122,906 |
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 Denver
As the demand for real estate services in Denver remains strong, agents must navigate a cost of living index of 105.782, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. National franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX typically offer competitive salaries, although local independent firms can be just as lucrative for productive agents. The disparity in earnings stems from factors such as commission splits with brokerages, typically ranging from 50/50 to 100% with desk fees, and individual performance metrics. Buyers increasingly seek agents with specific specialties, such as luxury properties, where commission earnings can be substantially higher. To maximize take-home income, agents should consider focusing on high-commission niches and leveraging referral networks, all while adjusting their strategies to the evolving commission structure following the post-2024 NAR settlement. The competitive nature of the Denver market demands that agents remain agile in their operational approaches to succeed financially.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 $45,100 for real estate agentsin the Denver 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, 6-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