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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Real Estate Agent Salary in Los Angeles: $72K Median

Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles, CA earn between $41K and $211K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $56,620 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Real Estate Agent salary in Los Angeles, CA is $72,474 per year — +28% above the US national median of $56,620. Salaries range from $40,960 (entry, 25th percentile) to $211,200 (90th percentile). Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles earned approximately $15,099 in 2025, representing 380.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$72,474
+380.0% YoY · $6,040/mo
Entry
$44,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$153,600
5+ years
Top 10%
$211,200
Senior/lead
Real Estate Agent Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$72K
San Diego
$67K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$88K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$54K
+35% vs Los Angeles

Free ATS scan · Los Angeles employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Real Estate Agents

Major employers active in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$40,960$72,474$211,200
Monthly$3,413$6,040$17,600
Weekly$788$1,394$4,062
Hourly$20$35$102

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($56,620) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Real Estate Agent Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$55,297.389
Per month$4,608
Biweekly paycheck$2,127
Effective tax rate23.7%

Tax Breakdown on $72,474

Gross salary$72,474
Federal income tax−$7,646.28
California state tax−$3,986.07
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,544.261
Take-home (net)$55,297.389

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 — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$41,216
2–3 yr$44,800
4–6 yr$99,200
7–10 yr$153,600
11–15 yr$181,248
15+ yr$182,400

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+380.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,099
2026 median:$72,474
Change:+$57,375

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Below comfortable threshold

After adjusting for the local cost of living, real purchasing power falls below what most economists consider a comfortable middle-class wage. Roommates, longer commutes, or a second income are typically required to make the numbers work.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$41,892
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Real Estate Agent Salary in Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $65,885 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

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 $154K–$211K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific Digital marketing/CRM (KW Command) expertise.

Real Estate Agent Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Real Estate Agent salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Real Estate Agent salary in Los Angeles is $72,474 per year as of April 2026 — $6,040/month, $1,394/week, or about $35/hour. Salaries range from $40,960 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $211,200 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $72,474 a good Real Estate Agent salary in Los Angeles?
Below comfortable threshold. After adjusting for the local cost of living, real purchasing power falls below what most economists consider a comfortable middle-class wage. Roommates, longer commutes, or a second income are typically required to make the numbers work. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $72,474 a real purchasing power of approximately $41,892 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $72,474 in Los Angeles?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $72,474 salary is below the comfortable threshold for the area — most residents at this level have roommates or commute from cheaper suburbs.
Is $72,474 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $72,474 salary is below that threshold — a single person at this level usually requires roommates or strict budgeting.
Is $72,474 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $72,474 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 $72,474 each ($144,948 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $72,474 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $72,474 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 Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Real Estate Agent in Los Angeles?
On a $72,474 Real Estate Agent salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $55,297.389 per year ($4,608/month, $2,127 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $7,646.28, state $3,986.07, FICA $5,544.261. Effective tax rate: 23.7%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($56,620 nationally vs $72,474 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $41,892 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Real Estate Agent earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles typically start at around $44,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Real Estate Agents earn $153,600 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $211,200+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Real Estate Agent salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Real Estate Agent salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 380.0% year-over-year, from $15,099 in 2025 to $72,474 in 2026 (+$57,375). 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 Los Angeles?
Real estate agent income highly variable based on market and effort. Top 10% earn $200K+ in hot markets. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — 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 Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Real Estate Agents in or near Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
High school + state-specific licensing course is the typical path. However, Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($56,620) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — 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

Related Roles in Los Angeles

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Real Estate Agent Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$67KSan Francisco, CA$88KSeattle, WA$75KWashington, DC$74KBoston, MA$74KFresno, CA$54KSacramento, CA$61KLong Beach, CA$68K

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