Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $34.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in San Francisco, CA runs $34.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,055 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,233 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for a real estate agent in San Francisco, California, is projected to be $34.64. This figure significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $25.78, indicating that agents in San Francisco can expect a more lucrative earning environment. For part-time agents working approximately three days a week, this translates to a substantial income that can provide a comfortable lifestyle, especially considering the various settings in which they operate—from bustling brokerage offices to personal client meetings and property showings. The hourly pay scale within the city showcases a broad range, with entry-level positions starting around $23.07, while high-performing agents can earn upwards of $61.30, reflecting the rich potential for those willing to work hard and establish a client base in this competitive market.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.07 | $184.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.45 | $219.56 |
| Median (P50) | $34.64 | $277.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.82 | $366.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.30 | $490.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $34.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.64/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $72,055 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,570. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,385.68 | $6,005 | $72,055 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $831.41 | $3,603 | $43,233 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $554.27 | $2,402 | $28,822 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (San Francisco) | $34.64 |
| Real Estate Broker (National Avg) | $42.96 |
| Insurance Sales Agent (National Avg) | $29.02 |
| Property / Real Estate Manager (National Avg) | $33.79 |
| Appraiser / Assessor of Real Estate (National Avg) | $37.18 |
Real Estate Agents in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $72,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.38% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 14.70% above the California state average of $62,820.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.64/hr = $43,233/year (purchasing power: $37,395).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,055/year (purchasing power: $62,325).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in San Francisco grew 19.6% from $28.53/hr (2019) to $34.13/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.16/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem real estate agents can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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.
Working as an Hourly Real Estate Agent in San Francisco
When considering the practical implications of real estate agent hourly pay in San Francisco, it's essential to evaluate the annual earnings of part-time agents versus full-time counterparts. A real estate professional working three days a week for 24 hours could realistically bring in about $53,300 annually, a figure that may vary significantly for agents working on a commission-based structure, especially with the upcoming changes settled by the 2024 NAR commission adjustments. Consequently, while per diem real estate agent pay in San Francisco is uncommon, top earners can achieve an hourly equivalent between $100 and $300 based on commission alone, illustrating a stark disparity for new agents who often earn less than minimum wage when accounting for unpaid prospecting efforts. Moreover, agents affiliated with national franchises generally see variations in pay structures and benefits compared to independent or discount brokerages, influencing how they negotiate terms. Understanding these dynamics can empower agents—both seasoned and newly licensed—to navigate their earning potential more effectively in the evolving San Francisco real estate market.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for real estate agents in San Francisco. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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