Real Estate Agent Salary in Bristol, VA: $48,459 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Bristol, VA earns a median $48,459/year (≈ $23.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $46,956 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, Virginia, the projected median annual real estate agent salary in 2026 is $48,459, which reflects a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $53,622. Local agents experience a salary range from $32,196 at the 10th percentile to $75,112 at the 90th percentile. This figure highlights the varying income potential based on structural choices, such as whether agents operate independently or as part of a team. The local estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price variables, suggest that the differing approaches to real estate—team structures often yielding higher earnings due to shared resources and increased transaction volumes—play a significant role in income levels across Bristol's job market.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,196 | $15.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,524 | $18.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,459 | $23.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,028 | $29.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,112 | $36.11 |
Median Salary Position
9.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,916 (2026 est.). At $48,459, the local median is 9.63% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Bristol median: $48,459/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $48,218 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | -9.63% less |
Real Estate Agents in Bristol, VA earn a median of $48,459 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.63% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 0.50% above the Virginia state average of $48,218.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,459 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,956 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,219
2025 BLS Actual
$47,743
2026 Current Est.
$48,459
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,219 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,318 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,685 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,167 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,071 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,483 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,743 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,459 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,186 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $44,219 (2019) to $47,743 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,186 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,967 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $32,196 – $37,524 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,524 – $48,459 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,459 – $62,028 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,028 – $75,112 |
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 Bristol
The job market in Bristol currently employs a small cadre of just six real estate agents, revealing the competitive nature of this profession in the area. With a cost of living index of 103.2, agents must navigate higher living expenses that could impact their take-home pay. Among employers, national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX tend to offer the most lucrative positions, primarily due to their extensive networks and support systems, which are particularly advantageous in navigating the complexities of changing commission structures post-2024 NAR settlement. The disparity in salaries often stems from factors such as average sale price, commission splits, and the density of referral networks. In this unique market, those who focus on luxury or high-volume residential transactions could see the best financial outcomes. Maximizing earnings in Bristol requires choosing the right brokerage and leveraging local connections while staying informed about market trends and changes in commission policy.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
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 $47,743 for real estate agentsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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