Real Estate Sales Agents Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Real Estate Sales Agents in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $88,220 a year, or about $42.41 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $180K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $79,895 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 62.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $88K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About real estate sales agents
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level real estate sales agents (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $88K.Top earners bring in $180K or more - a $137K spread from bottom to top.
Real Estate Sales Agents pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $97K | +73% | 10,040 |
| Alaska | $86K | +52% | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $85K | +51% | N/A |
| Vermont | $83K | +47% | 90 |
| New Mexico | $80K | +42% | 810 |
| Washington | $77K | +37% | 5,470 |
| New Jersey | $67K | +18% | 950 |
| California | $62K | +11% | 22,370 |
| North Dakota | $62K | +10% | 430 |
| Virginia | $62K | +10% | 4,950 |
| Maine | $60K | +7% | 770 |
| West Virginia | $58K | +2% | 310 |
| Montana | $57K | +1% | 660 |
| Georgia | $56K | -0% | 5,750 |
| New Hampshire | $56K | -1% | 290 |
Track real estate sales agents salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do real estate sales agents make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $88,220 a year - that works out to about $42.41 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,600, and experienced real estate sales agents can clear $179,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $88K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,509/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 63.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a real estate sales agents salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median real estate sales agents salary is worth about $79,895 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do real estate sales agents get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.