Real Estate Agent Salary in Irvine, CA: $65,266 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Irvine, CA earns a median $65,266/year (≈ $31.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $57,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Irvine, California, real estate agents are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,266 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $53,622. The salary range for agents in this city varies widely, with entry-level positions around $40,188 and experienced agents earning up to $101,162. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data, reflect not only local market dynamics but also the structural choices real estate professionals face in terms of employment. Agents operating as part of a team may have different compensation potential compared to those working solo or in commercial brokerage roles, demonstrating varied paths to financial success in Irvine's thriving real estate market.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,188 | $19.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,065 | $23.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,266 | $31.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,540 | $40.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,162 | $48.64 |
Median Salary Position
21.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,974 (2026 est.). At $65,266, the local median is 21.71% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Irvine median: $65,266/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,816 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | +21.71% more |
Real Estate Agents in Irvine, CA earn a median of $65,266 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.71% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 3.90% above the California state average of $62,816.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,266 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,706 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,554
2025 BLS Actual
$64,301
2026 Current Est.
$65,266
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,554 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,688 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,832 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,088 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,301 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,266 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $59,554 (2019) to $64,301 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,690 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $40,188 – $49,065 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,065 – $65,266 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,266 – $83,540 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,540 – $101,162 |
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 Irvine
The local job market is highlighted by the presence of 72 real estate agents, which speaks to a competitive landscape in Irvine. However, the high cost of living, with a cost of living index of 113.1, can significantly impact take-home pay and purchasing power for these professionals. While national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker typically offer more robust commission structures, independent brokerages might yield competitive compensation as well. The disparity in earnings often stems from several factors, including transaction volumes, average sale prices, and commission splits. For agents looking to maximize their pay in this particular market, focusing on specialty areas such as luxury or commercial properties, building a strong referral network, and considering team affiliations can be effective strategies, especially in light of the impending changes from the post-2024 NAR commission structure.
More salary data for Irvine, 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
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 $64,301 for real estate agentsin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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