Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $28.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Santa Maria, CA runs $28.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,870 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.8, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,316 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the real estate agent hourly pay in Santa Maria is projected to be $28.30, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national hourly median of $25.78. This represents a significant 9.79% advantage for local agents, translating to enhanced earning potential for those working part-time, such as those putting in three days a week in diverse settings, from brokerage offices to client property tours and listing presentations. New agents just starting in the field can expect to earn as little as $20.87 per hour, while experienced agents could make up to $47.97 per hour. This hourly data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, highlighting the opportunities within the Santa Maria market for varying levels of expertise and commitment.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.87 | $166.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.72 | $181.73 |
| Median (P50) | $28.30 | $226.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.40 | $275.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.97 | $383.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $28.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.30/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $58,860 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,958. With a cost-of-living index of 108.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,131.93 | $4,905 | $58,860 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $679.16 | $2,943 | $35,316 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $452.77 | $1,962 | $23,544 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Santa Maria) | $28.30 |
| 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 Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $58,870 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.79% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 6.30% below the California state average of $62,828.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.30/hr = $35,316/year (purchasing power: $32,460).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,860/year (purchasing power: $54,100).
CoL index: 108.798 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+0.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Santa Maria grew -2.2% from $28.52/hr (2019) to $27.88/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.72/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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria
For agents in Santa Maria considering part-time work, those committing to a 24-hour work week may bring home approximately $40,000 annually. However, since the world of real estate operates primarily on a 1099 commission basis, most agents' compensation relies heavily on transaction volume and commission structure rather than fixed hourly wages. Team-based commission structures may yield stability, where agents earn base salaries ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 alongside commission splits. Conversely, new agents often find that their hourly equivalent may dip below minimum wage when factoring in unpaid prospecting hours. Furthermore, hourly rates can differ based on the brokerage type, with national franchises typically offering more benefits at a lower hourly rate compared to niche luxury or discount brokerages. Balancing health insurance benefits against higher pay rates provides real estate agents in Santa Maria with important variables to consider when negotiating their compensation packages.
More salary data for Santa Maria, CA:
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
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 Santa Maria. 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