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2026 Salary Data — New York, NY
Updated April 28, 2026

Real Estate Agent Salary in New York: $76K Median

Real Estate Agents in New York, NY earn between $43K and $223K per year.

That's +35% above the US national median of $56,620 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Real Estate Agent salary in New York, NY is $76,437 per year — +35% above the US national median of $56,620. Salaries range from $43,200 (entry, 25th percentile) to $222,750 (90th percentile). Real Estate Agents in New York earned approximately $15,924 in 2025, representing 380.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$76,437
+380.0% YoY · $6,370/mo
Entry
$47,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$162,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$222,750
Senior/lead
Real Estate Agent Salary — New York vs Nearby
New York
$76K
Oakland
$79K
-4% vs New York
Los Angeles
$72K
+5% vs New York
Seattle
$75K
+2% vs New York

Free ATS scan · New York employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Real Estate Agents in New York

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

New York Job Market

Largest US metro and global financial capital with massive job market across all sectors.

Population
8336K
Cost of Living
187
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.2%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in New York

FinanceMediaTechReal EstateHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Real Estate Agents

Major employers active in New York 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 — New York

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$43,200$76,437$222,750
Monthly$3,600$6,370$18,563
Weekly$831$1,470$4,284
Hourly$21$37$107

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($56,620) adjusted for New York's cost-of-living multiplier (1.35×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Real Estate Agent Take-Home Pay in New York

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$54,751.822
Per month$4,563
Biweekly paycheck$2,106
Effective tax rate28.4%

Tax Breakdown on $76,437

Gross salary$76,437
Federal income tax−$8,518.14
New York state tax−$4,356.909
New York local tax−$2,962.698
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,847.43
Take-home (net)$54,751.822

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 — New York

Career-stage progression for Real Estate Agents in New York.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$43,470
2–3 yr$47,250
4–6 yr$104,625
7–10 yr$162,000
11–15 yr$191,160
15+ yr$192,375

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for New York's 1.35× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+380.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,924
2026 median:$76,437
Change:+$60,513

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
$40,875
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 New York

Walk-away anchor: $69,488 (offers below this are below market for New York).

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 $162K–$223K for experienced roles, citing New York market data and your specific Digital marketing/CRM (KW Command) expertise.

Real Estate Agent Salary FAQ — New York

What is the average Real Estate Agent salary in New York, NY?
The average Real Estate Agent salary in New York is $76,437 per year as of April 2026 — $6,370/month, $1,470/week, or about $37/hour. Salaries range from $43,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $222,750 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for New York's cost-of-living multiplier (1.35×).
Is $76,437 a good Real Estate Agent salary in New York?
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. New York's cost-of-living index is 187 (vs 100 nationally), giving $76,437 a real purchasing power of approximately $40,875 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 $76,437 in New York?
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 New York specifically (median home price $850,000), a $76,437 salary is below the comfortable threshold for the area — most residents at this level have roommates or commute from cheaper suburbs.
Is $76,437 enough for a single person in New York?
A single adult in New York typically needs ~$84,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $76,437 salary is below that threshold — a single person at this level usually requires roommates or strict budgeting.
Is $76,437 enough for a couple in New York?
A couple (one earner) in New York typically needs ~$134,640 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $76,437 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 $76,437 each ($152,874 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $76,437 enough for a family of 4 in New York?
A family of 4 (one earner) in New York typically needs ~$205,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $76,437 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 New York. Childcare costs in New York typically run $28K-$52K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Real Estate Agent in New York?
On a $76,437 Real Estate Agent salary in New York, NY, you take home approximately $54,751.822 per year ($4,563/month, $2,106 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $8,518.14, state $4,356.909, local $2,962.698, FICA $5,847.43. Effective tax rate: 28.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Real Estate Agents in New York earn compared to the US average?
Real Estate Agents in New York earn approximately 35% more than the US national median for this role ($56,620 nationally vs $76,437 in New York). However, New York's cost-of-living index of 187 means real purchasing power is approximately $40,875 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Real Estate Agent earn in New York?
Entry-level Real Estate Agents in New York typically start at around $47,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Real Estate Agents earn $162,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $222,750+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Real Estate Agent salaries in New York increase in 2026?
Yes — Real Estate Agent salaries in New York grew approximately 380.0% year-over-year, from $15,924 in 2025 to $76,437 in 2026 (+$60,513). 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 New York?
Real estate agent income highly variable based on market and effort. Top 10% earn $200K+ in hot markets. New York's top industries include Finance, Media, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.2% — 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 New York.
Who are the top employers hiring Real Estate Agents in New York?
Top employers hiring Real Estate Agents in or near New York 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 New York?
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 New York?
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 New York?
High school + state-specific licensing course is the typical path. However, New York'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 New York are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($56,620) by New York's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.35× — 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 New York

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Real Estate Agent Salary in Other Cities

Seattle, WA$75KOakland, CA$79K

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