Real Estate Agent Salary in McLean, VA: $47,188 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in McLean, VA earns a median $47,188/year (≈ $22.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in McLean's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $45,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In McLean, Virginia, the real estate agent salary landscape presents a median annual income of $47,188. This figure reflects a local estimate adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is slightly above the national average. Salaries range from $29,261 at the 10th percentile to $73,142 for the top 90th percentile, indicating a significant disparity in potential earnings. The structure in which agents operate—whether as solo practitioners, part of a team, or within commercial brokerages—greatly influences their financial outcomes. With a projected growth rate of 1.50% in this sector, McLean offers promising opportunities, but agents must navigate their specific niche to capitalize effectively on the local market dynamics.
About the McLean Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,261 | $14.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,179 | $16.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,188 | $22.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,401 | $29.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,142 | $35.16 |
Median Salary Position
12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McLean
In McLean, VA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,881 (2026 est.). At $47,188, the local median is 12% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McLean: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McLean Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
McLean median: $47,188/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McLean Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $48,201 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -12.00% less |
Real Estate Agents in McLean, VA earn a median of $47,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.00% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 2.10% below the Virginia state average of $48,201.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McLean has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McLean, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,188 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,725 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,059
2025 BLS Actual
$46,491
2026 Current Est.
$47,188
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in McLean (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,059 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,156 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,983 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,188 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,896 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McLean metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $43,059 (2019) to $46,491 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,896 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,837 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McLean 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) | $29,261 – $35,179 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,179 – $47,188 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,188 – $60,401 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,401 – $73,142 |
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 McLean
The local job market for real estate agents in McLean is relatively small, with only 11 agents currently employed in the area. This limited pool contributes to a competitive environment where familiarity with the market is crucial for success. Given the cost-of-living index of 103.2, real estate agent pay in McLean VA must stretch further than in many other regions. National franchise brokerages, such as Keller Williams and RE/MAX, often provide higher compensation due to established referral networks and marketing power compared to independent local agencies. The significant spread in earnings can be attributed to factors such as transaction volume, property price averages, and commission structure, particularly in light of the impending changes following the 2024 NAR settlement. Agents who wish to maximize their pay should focus on high-value transactions, target luxury listings, and consider developing a robust referral network while weighing the benefits of team membership against solo representation.
More salary data for McLean, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can real estate agents make $100K in McLean?
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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 $46,491 for real estate agentsin the McLean 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 McLean 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