Research Summary. Based on extensive research by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest insights into real estate agent salaries across the United States as of 2026:
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West Virginia boasts the highest average real estate agent salary at $111,744.
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Hawaii remains the state with the lowest average real estate agent salary, currently at $53,112.
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The national average salary for real estate agents now stands at $91,788.
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The national hourly wage for real estate agents is approximately $44.13.
For more details, you can read about our specific methodology.
Background
In various surveys across demographics, salary consistently ranks as the top consideration for job seekers. Many individuals often ask, “How much can I expect to earn as a real estate agent in my area?”
While your specific earning potential may vary, we offer comprehensive data on average salaries for real estate agents by state and seniority level. This can provide a clearer understanding of the market landscape.
As of 2026, West Virginia remains the top state for real estate agent salaries.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for real estate agent salaries:
Let’s explore the data that informs these rankings and present a full breakdown for all states.
Highest-Paid Real Estate Agents By State
| Rank | State | Average Real Estate Agent Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $111,744 | $81,000 | $153,000 |
| 2 | New York | $111,641 | $84,000 | $147,000 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $111,225 | $88,000 | $139,000 |
| 4 | Vermont | $110,113 | $89,000 | $136,000 |
| 5 | Washington | $105,662 | $76,000 | $145,000 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $102,657 | $78,000 | $133,000 |
| 7 | Montana | $102,469 | $73,000 | $141,000 |
| 8 | Alaska | $101,152 | $87,000 | $116,000 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $100,735 | $71,000 | $141,000 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $100,016 | $75,000 | $132,000 |
| 11 | California | $99,733 | $68,000 | $145,000 |
| 12 | Michigan | $99,710 | $73,000 | $135,000 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $99,600 | $73,000 | $134,000 |
| 14 | Virginia | $97,278 | $71,000 | $132,000 |
| 15 | Maine | $96,114 | $79,000 | $116,000 |
| 16 | Utah | $95,336 | $65,000 | $138,000 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $94,778 | $70,000 | $126,000 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $94,648 | $74,000 | $120,000 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $94,607 | $76,000 | $117,000 |
| 20 | Georgia | $94,036 | $65,000 | $135,000 |
| 21 | Colorado | $93,944 | $64,000 | $136,000 |
| 22 | Alabama | $93,438 | $64,000 | $135,000 |
| 23 | Missouri | $93,041 | $64,000 | $133,000 |
| 24 | Iowa | $91,053 | $64,000 | $128,000 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $88,923 | $62,000 | $127,000 |
| 26 | Idaho | $88,878 | $62,000 | $126,000 |
| 27 | Oklahoma | $87,080 | $59,000 | $127,000 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $85,523 | $57,000 | $126,000 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $85,320 | $60,000 | $120,000 |
| 30 | Indiana | $85,122 | $60,000 | $119,000 |
| 31 | Arkansas | $84,969 | $58,000 | $123,000 |
| 32 | Ohio | $84,925 | $61,000 | $116,000 |
| 33 | Oregon | $84,533 | $60,000 | $118,000 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $84,197 | $61,000 | $115,000 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $84,064 | $58,000 | $120,000 |
| 36 | Texas | $82,847 | $55,000 | $122,000 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $80,383 | $54,000 | $117,000 |
| 38 | Arizona | $80,237 | $54,000 | $118,000 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $80,203 | $56,000 | $113,000 |
| 40 | Nevada | $79,556 | $54,000 | $116,000 |
| 41 | Delaware | $78,993 | $58,000 | $106,000 |
| 42 | Maryland | $78,360 | $58,000 | $105,000 |
| 43 | Kansas | $75,823 | $52,000 | $109,000 |
| 44 | Illinois | $73,479 | $52,000 | $102,000 |
| 45 | Minnesota | $72,392 | $52,000 | $99,000 |
| 46 | Florida | $71,492 | $47,000 | $107,000 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $68,227 | $48,000 | $95,000 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $66,391 | $44,000 | $98,000 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $61,945 | $43,000 | $88,000 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $53,112 | $41,000 | $68,000 |
Methodology: Real Estate Agent Salary By State
To accurately assess real estate agent salaries by state, Zippia aggregates data from multiple sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This data is supplemented with real-time salary listings from job postings. The data science team then calculates a weighted average to derive the average pay for real estate agents by state.
Using this methodology, we ranked each state according to average annual salaries, identifying the state with the highest average salary for real estate agents.
Real Estate Agent Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for real estate agents?
The highest-paid state for real estate agents is West Virginia, with an average salary of $111,744 per year.
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What city pays real estate agents the most?
Long Beach, NY offers the highest salary for real estate agents, averaging $111,838 annually.
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What is the worst state for real estate agents?
The state with the lowest average salary for real estate agents is Hawaii, averaging $53,112 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
