Real estate agents in the United States have varying earnings influenced by factors such as location, experience, market conditions, and commission structure. As of 2025, the average annual salary for a real estate sales agent is around $47,174 to $56,320, according to different sources. Median wages reported were $56,320 in May 2024. More experienced agents in luxury markets can earn significantly higher, with luxury real estate agents averaging about $119,296 annually. Earnings vary widely by state; for example, real estate agents in Alaska average $51,373 annually, while in West Virginia, the average is around $42,457. In high-cost and competitive markets like Boston, MA, average earnings are much higher, approximately $93,205 annually. New agents typically earn less, with first-year salaries ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 depending on location and number of transactions closed, but their earnings tend to increase with experience and client base growth. Part-time agents earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually in commission depending on transactions closed. Real estate agents usually earn through commissions based on property sale prices, which are split between agents and brokerages. Summary of key earnings data:
- Average annual real estate agent salary in the US: ~$47,000 to $56,000
- Median annual wage (May 2024): $56,320
- Luxury agent average salary: ~$119,296
- First-year agent average salary: $30,000 to $50,000
- Part-time agents’ commission earnings: $60,000 to $100,000
- Boston average salary: ~$93,205 per year
