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2026 Salary Data — Sacramento, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Real Estate Agent Salary in Sacramento: $61K Median

Real Estate Agents in Sacramento, CA earn between $35K and $178K per year.

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

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Real Estate Agent salary in Sacramento, CA is $61,150 per year — +8% above the US national median of $56,620. Salaries range from $34,560 (entry, 25th percentile) to $178,200 (90th percentile). Real Estate Agents in Sacramento earned approximately $12,740 in 2025, representing 380.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$61,150
+380.0% YoY · $5,096/mo
Entry
$37,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$129,600
5+ years
Top 10%
$178,200
Senior/lead

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About Real Estate Agents in Sacramento

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

Sacramento Job Market

California state capital with growing tech sector.

Population
524K
Cost of Living
130
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$525K

Top Industries in Sacramento

GovernmentHealthcareTechEducationReal Estate

Top Employers Hiring Real Estate Agents

Major employers active in Sacramento 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 — Sacramento

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$34,560$61,150$178,200
Monthly$2,880$5,096$14,850
Weekly$665$1,176$3,427
Hourly$17$29$86

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($56,620) adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Real Estate Agent Take-Home Pay in Sacramento

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$47,761.275
Per month$3,980
Biweekly paycheck$1,837
Effective tax rate21.9%

Tax Breakdown on $61,150

Gross salary$61,150
Federal income tax$5,347.5
California state tax$3,363.25
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$4,677.975
Take-home (net)$47,761.275

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 — Sacramento

Career-stage progression for Real Estate Agents in Sacramento.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$34,776
2–3 yr$37,800
4–6 yr$83,700
7–10 yr$129,600
11–15 yr$152,928
15+ yr$153,900

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Sacramento's 1.08× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+380.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$12,740
2026 median:$61,150
Change:+$48,410

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
$47,038
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Real Estate Agent Salary in Sacramento

Walk-away anchor: $55,591 (offers below this are below market for Sacramento).

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 $130K$178K for experienced roles, citing Sacramento market data and your specific Digital marketing/CRM (KW Command) expertise.

Real Estate Agent Salary FAQ — Sacramento

What is the average Real Estate Agent salary in Sacramento, CA?
The average Real Estate Agent salary in Sacramento is $61,150 per year as of April 2026 — $5,096/month, $1,176/week, or about $29/hour. Salaries range from $34,560 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $178,200 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×).
Is $61,150 a good Real Estate Agent salary in Sacramento?
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. Sacramento's cost-of-living index is 130 (vs 100 nationally), giving $61,150 a real purchasing power of approximately $47,038 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $61,150 in Sacramento?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Sacramento specifically (median home price $525,000), a $61,150 salary is below the comfortable threshold for the area — most residents at this level have roommates or commute from cheaper suburbs.
Is $61,150 enough for a single person in Sacramento?
A single adult in Sacramento typically needs ~$58,500 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $61,150 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $61,150 enough for a couple in Sacramento?
A couple (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$93,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $61,150 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 $61,150 each ($122,300 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $61,150 enough for a family of 4 in Sacramento?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$143,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $61,150 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 Sacramento. Childcare costs in Sacramento typically run $20K-$36K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Real Estate Agent in Sacramento?
On a $61,150 Real Estate Agent salary in Sacramento, CA, you take home approximately $47,761.275 per year ($3,980/month, $1,837 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $5,347.5, state $3,363.25, FICA $4,677.975. Effective tax rate: 21.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Real Estate Agents in Sacramento earn compared to the US average?
Real Estate Agents in Sacramento earn approximately 8% more than the US national median for this role ($56,620 nationally vs $61,150 in Sacramento). However, Sacramento's cost-of-living index of 130 means real purchasing power is approximately $47,038 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Real Estate Agent earn in Sacramento?
Entry-level Real Estate Agents in Sacramento typically start at around $37,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Real Estate Agents earn $129,600 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $178,200+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Real Estate Agent salaries in Sacramento increase in 2026?
Yes — Real Estate Agent salaries in Sacramento grew approximately 380.0% year-over-year, from $12,740 in 2025 to $61,150 in 2026 (+$48,410). 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 Sacramento?
Real estate agent income highly variable based on market and effort. Top 10% earn $200K+ in hot markets. Sacramento's top industries include Government, Healthcare, Tech, 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 Sacramento.
Who are the top employers hiring Real Estate Agents in Sacramento?
Top employers hiring Real Estate Agents in or near Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
High school + state-specific licensing course is the typical path. However, Sacramento'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 Sacramento are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($56,620) by Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.08× — 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.

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