Real Estate Agent Salary in Staunton, VA: $48,243 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Staunton, VA earns a median $48,243/year (≈ $23.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $52,940 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source

As the real estate market in Staunton, Virginia, adapts to the post-2024 NAR commission structure changes, projected compensation for real estate agents reflects a median salary of $48,243 in 2026. This figure is noteworthy as it stands about 10.03% below the national median of $53,622. Salaries for real estate professionals in the area range from $26,532 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $122,947 at the 90th percentile. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a shift in income potential that may encourage agents to realign their strategies in a fundamentally changing market. Given the ongoing evolution in commission structures, Staunton's agents face a landscape where understanding compensation dynamics will be critical to their success.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,532 | $12.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,088 | $17.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,243 | $23.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,384 | $37.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,947 | $59.10 |
Median Salary Position
10.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,415 (2026 est.). At $48,243, the local median is 10.03% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Staunton Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Staunton median: $48,243/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $48,195 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | -10.03% less |
Real Estate Agents in Staunton, VA earn a median of $48,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.03% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 0.10% above the Virginia state average of $48,195.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $48,243 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,940 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,021
2025 BLS Actual
$47,530
2026 Current Est.
$48,243
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,021 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,284 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,243 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,967 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $44,021 (2019) to $47,530 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,967 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,946 (11.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $26,532 – $37,088 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,088 – $48,243 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,243 – $77,384 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,384 – $122,947 |
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 Staunton
With 50 real estate agents actively working in the Staunton area, the local market presents distinct advantages and challenges in the context of the cost of living, which is indexed at 91.128. This lower-than-national-average cost can enhance take-home purchasing power, making it essential for agents to optimize their earnings. National franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX often provide some of the highest compensation opportunities, while local independent firms and discount brokerages offer varied structures that may appeal to different agent strategies. As the commission structures evolve — with potential splits impacted by transaction volume and brokerage fees — agents should consider focusing on high-value transactions and building strong referral networks. Adapting to the commission changes and prioritizing specialized areas, such as luxury or commercial real estate, can significantly affect the pay dynamics within Staunton’s competitive market.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
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 $47,530 for real estate agentsin the Staunton 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