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2026 Salary Data — Cleveland, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

Real Estate Agent Salary in Cleveland: $52K Median

Real Estate Agents in Cleveland, OH earn between $29K and $152K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $56,620 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Real Estate Agent salary in Cleveland, OH is $52,090 per year — -8% below the US national median of $56,620. Salaries range from $29,440 (entry, 25th percentile) to $151,800 (90th percentile). Real Estate Agents in Cleveland earned approximately $10,852 in 2025, representing 380.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$52,090
+380.0% YoY · $4,341/mo
Entry
$32,200
0–2 years
Experienced
$110,400
5+ years
Top 10%
$151,800
Senior/lead
Real Estate Agent Salary — Cleveland vs Nearby
Cleveland
$52K
Columbus
$55K
-5% vs Cleveland
Oklahoma City
$50K
+5% vs Cleveland
Louisville
$52K
+1% vs Cleveland

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About Real Estate Agents in Cleveland

Real estate agents help buyers and sellers navigate property transactions, mostly compensated through commissions.

Core Responsibilities

  • Property listings and showings
  • Client representation
  • Negotiation
  • Market analysis
  • Marketing

Education & Certifications

Typical path: High school + state-specific licensing course

In-demand certifications

State real estate licenseNAR REALTOR designationCRSABRGRI

Cleveland Job Market

Major medical hub anchored by Cleveland Clinic.

Population
372K
Cost of Living
88
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Cleveland

Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)FinanceManufacturingTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Real Estate Agents

Major employers active in Cleveland or hiring remotely from this metro.

Independent (most agents)
Compass
eXp Realty
Redfin
Coldwell Banker
Berkshire Hathaway

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Real Estate Agent listings.

Digital marketingCRM (KW Command)Virtual toursAI toolsLocal market expertise

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

real estate licenseCRMMLSnegotiationlead generationclosingmarket analysis
Career Outlook
+5% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Real estate agent income highly variable based on market and effort. Top 10% earn $200K+ in hot markets.

Real Estate Agent Salary Breakdown — Cleveland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$29,440$52,090$151,800
Monthly$2,453$4,341$12,650
Weekly$566$1,002$2,919
Hourly$14$25$73

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($56,620) adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Real Estate Agent Take-Home Pay in Cleveland

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$41,240.315
Per month$3,437
Biweekly paycheck$1,586
Effective tax rate20.8%

Tax Breakdown on $52,090

Gross salary$52,090
Federal income tax−$4,260.3
Ohio state tax−$1,302.25
Cleveland local tax−$1,302.25
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$3,984.885
Take-home (net)$41,240.315

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Real Estate Agent Salary by Experience — Cleveland

Career-stage progression for Real Estate Agents in Cleveland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$29,624
2–3 yr$32,200
4–6 yr$71,300
7–10 yr$110,400
11–15 yr$130,272
15+ yr$131,100

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Cleveland's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+380.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$10,852
2026 median:$52,090
Change:+$41,238

Sales sector growth driven by demand for Digital marketing and CRM (KW Command).

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$59,193
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Real Estate Agent Salary in Cleveland

Walk-away anchor: $47,355 (offers below this are below market for Cleveland).

Leverage Points

  • Quota attainment history: bring receipts (% to plan, presidents club, ranking)
  • OTE (on-target earnings) split, accelerators above quota, and ramp-period guarantee
  • Territory quality, account list, and existing pipeline you inherit
  • Average deal size and sales cycle length vs. comparable roles

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Ramp-period guaranteed commission (60-90 days at full target)Accelerators above quota (1.5x-3x past 100%)Sign-on bonus to offset commission you forfeit by leavingSPIFs, presidents club trips, equity for senior AEsQuality territory and named-account list

What To Say

"I've hit 120% of quota three years running. I'm comfortable with this OTE if we add accelerators above 100% attainment and a 90-day ramp guarantee at full pay."

Anchor on $110K–$152K for experienced roles, citing Cleveland market data and your specific Digital marketing/CRM (KW Command) expertise.

Real Estate Agent Salary FAQ — Cleveland

What is the average Real Estate Agent salary in Cleveland, OH?
The average Real Estate Agent salary in Cleveland is $52,090 per year as of April 2026 — $4,341/month, $1,002/week, or about $25/hour. Salaries range from $29,440 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $151,800 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $52,090 a good Real Estate Agent salary in Cleveland?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Cleveland's cost-of-living index is 88 (vs 100 nationally), giving $52,090 a real purchasing power of approximately $59,193 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $52,090 in Cleveland?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Cleveland specifically (median home price $175,000), a $52,090 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $52,090 enough for a single person in Cleveland?
A single adult in Cleveland typically needs ~$39,600 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $52,090 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $52,090 enough for a couple in Cleveland?
A couple (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$63,360 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $52,090 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $52,090 each ($104,180 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $52,090 enough for a family of 4 in Cleveland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$96,800 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $52,090 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Cleveland. Childcare costs in Cleveland typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Real Estate Agent in Cleveland?
On a $52,090 Real Estate Agent salary in Cleveland, OH, you take home approximately $41,240.315 per year ($3,437/month, $1,586 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $4,260.3, state $1,302.25, local $1,302.25, FICA $3,984.885. Effective tax rate: 20.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Real Estate Agents in Cleveland earn compared to the US average?
Real Estate Agents in Cleveland earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($56,620 nationally vs $52,090 in Cleveland). However, Cleveland's cost-of-living index of 88 means real purchasing power is approximately $59,193 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Real Estate Agent earn in Cleveland?
Entry-level Real Estate Agents in Cleveland typically start at around $32,200 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Real Estate Agents earn $110,400 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $151,800+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Real Estate Agent salaries in Cleveland increase in 2026?
Yes — Real Estate Agent salaries in Cleveland grew approximately 380.0% year-over-year, from $10,852 in 2025 to $52,090 in 2026 (+$41,238). This reflects the broader Sales sector's compensation trend, driven by Digital marketing and CRM (KW Command) demand.
What's the job outlook for Real Estate Agents in Cleveland?
Real estate agent income highly variable based on market and effort. Top 10% earn $200K+ in hot markets. Cleveland's top industries include Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Finance, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Real Estate Agents in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Real Estate Agents are: Digital marketing, CRM (KW Command), Virtual tours, AI tools, Local market expertise. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Cleveland.
Who are the top employers hiring Real Estate Agents in Cleveland?
Top employers hiring Real Estate Agents in or near Cleveland include: Independent (most agents), Compass, eXp Realty, Redfin, Coldwell Banker, Berkshire Hathaway. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Real Estate Agent salary in Cleveland?
I've hit 120% of quota three years running. I'm comfortable with this OTE if we add accelerators above 100% attainment and a 90-day ramp guarantee at full pay. Key leverage points for Sales negotiations: Quota attainment history: bring receipts (% to plan, presidents club, ranking); OTE (on-target earnings) split, accelerators above quota, and ramp-period guarantee; Territory quality, account list, and existing pipeline you inherit. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Ramp-period guaranteed commission (60-90 days at full target), Accelerators above quota (1.5x-3x past 100%), Sign-on bonus to offset commission you forfeit by leaving, SPIFs, presidents club trips, equity for senior AEs.
How can I increase my Real Estate Agent salary in Cleveland?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Digital marketing, CRM (KW Command), Virtual tours) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., State real estate license or NAR REALTOR designation). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Real Estate Agent in Cleveland?
High school + state-specific licensing course is the typical path. However, Cleveland's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Sales roles.

Methodology & Sources

Real Estate Agent salary figures for Cleveland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($56,620) by Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (380.0%) reflects the Sales sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

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Real Estate Agent Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$53KJacksonville, FL$52KColumbus, OH$55KIndianapolis, IN$53KDetroit, MI$53KMemphis, TN$50KOklahoma City, OK$50KLas Vegas, NV$54K

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