Real Estate Agent Salary in Washington, DC: $79,332 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Washington, DC earns a median $79,332/year (≈ $38.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $72,859 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 26.4% above the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Real estate agents in Washington, DC, find themselves in a competitive wage environment shaped by the changes following the 2024 NAR settlement. With a projected median salary of $79,332 in 2026, agents in this city earn significantly more than the national average of $53,622, reflecting a healthy market for real estate transactions. The salary range is equally noteworthy, spanning from $38,600 at the lower end (P10) to $125,627 for the top earners (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, reveals that Washington's real estate agent pay is not only robust but also presents opportunities for substantial income growth amidst the evolving commission structures and market dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,538 | $22.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,332 | $38.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,620 | $53.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,627 | $60.40 |
Median Salary Position
47.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,027 (2026 est.). At $79,332, the local median is 47.95% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Washington median: $79,332/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $62,763 | +26.40% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | +47.95% more |
Real Estate Agents in Washington, DC earn a median of $79,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 47.95% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 26.40% above the District of Columbia state average of $62,763.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,332 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,859 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,830
2025 BLS Actual
$78,160
2026 Current Est.
$79,332
2019–2027 Growth
+64.9%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,332 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,522 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 60.1% from $48,830 (2019) to $78,160 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,522 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,692 (64.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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) | $38,600 – $46,538 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,538 – $79,332 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,332 – $111,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,620 – $125,627 |
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 Washington
In Washington, approximately 3,250 real estate agents are employed, navigating a cost-of-living index of 108.884 that impacts their take-home pay. For agents working with major national brokerages such as Keller Williams and RE/MAX, the earning potential can be particularly strong, often aided by opportunities for high transaction volumes and favorable commission splits. Independent brokerages and specialty firms dealing in luxury properties also contribute significantly to compensation variations, driven by factors such as the density of referral networks and the specific market segments serviced. The post-2024 commission model has further intensified the competition, creating a landscape where both seasoned and newer agents must be strategic about their approach to clientele and transaction types. To maximize earnings, agents should focus on building a solid referral network, understanding local market trends, and considering the advantages of team membership, as these elements can drive substantial income in Washington's dynamic real estate market.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
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 $78,160 for real estate agentsin the Washington 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