Are you considering dipping your toes into the exciting world of real estate but wondering if you can make ends meet by working in real estate part time? The cost of living in California is notoriously high, so this is a valid concern. Read on to explore the feasibility of living off a part-time real estate agent’s salary in the Golden State, touching on income potential, contributing factors, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Income Typically Increases the More You Work: According to a 2025 survey, most part-time agents (working less than 20 hours per week) in California make less than $25,000 per year. However, 54% of agents working 20 to 39 hours per week earn six figures or more.
- Tasks Required of Part-Time Agents: Being a part-time real estate agent offers schedule flexibility because the role typically doesn’t involve set hours, making it appealing to new agents. Even so, part-time agents must still dedicate significant time to prospecting, lead generation, client nurturing, and marketing in order to build their business.
- Work Smarter, Not Longer: The more hours worked, the higher the income, though more hours don’t always translate into higher income. Savvy agents use AI to become more efficient.
How Much Does a Part-Time Real Estate Agent Make in California?
Seventy-six percent of full-time real estate agents in California report earning six figures or more based on data collected in our 2026 California Real Estate Salary Guide. But what about part-time real estate agents? The income of a part-time agent can vary significantly depending on factors like location, market conditions, and individual hustle.
In California, where real estate prices can soar sky-high, the earning potential is undoubtedly promising. While it’s true that agents working fewer hours may not reach the heights of their full-time counterparts, that doesn’t mean it’s not a solid income. According to a 2025 survey, most part-time agents (working less than 20 hours per week) in California make less than $25,000 per year. However, 54% of agents working 20 to 39 hours per week earn six figures or more.
What Does it Mean to Be a Part-Time Real Estate Agent?
Becoming a part-time real estate agent offers a unique opportunity to pursue a dynamic career while still maintaining flexibility in your schedule. Typically, real estate agents don’t work set hours, which is a draw for most people considering a career in the field. It’s also why a part-time real estate career is an attractive option for some new agents.
While “full-time” real estate agents tend to work 40 hours or more per week, not all of that time is spent showing homes or closing deals. Successful real estate agents (both full and part time) must schedule time for things like prospecting, lead generation, and nurturing their existing leads and clients.
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There’s also marketing and advertising, which can take up significant time out of any agent’s workday. As you might imagine, part-time real estate agents will need to work these essential parts of their jobs into their schedules, too. That’s why most part-time real estate agents work roughly 20-30 hours per week, with very few working fewer than 20.
Factors Impacting Part-Time Real Estate Agent Earnings
For those considering a part-time venture into real estate, it’s essential to understand the factors that can influence your earning potential. While part-time agents might not dedicate as many hours to their real-estate endeavors as full-time agents, several key factors can still impact how much they can earn.
Market dynamics
The state of the real estate market can have a significant impact on a part-time agent’s earnings. In a hot seller’s market where properties are flying off the shelves, part-time agents may find themselves with more opportunities to close deals and earn commissions. Conversely, in a sluggish market with lower demand, earning potential may be more limited.
Regional disparities
The adage, “location, location, location,” rings especially true in California’s real estate landscape. Earning potential can vary significantly by location. Part-time agents operating in affluent neighborhoods or popular coastal areas may benefit from higher commission rates resulting from a greater volume of high-value transactions.
Commission structure
The commission structure can vary from brokerage to brokerage and may also depend on the type of transactions involved. Part-time agents should familiarize themselves with their brokerage’s commission policies, including the percentage split between the agent and the brokerage, as well as any additional fees or expenses that may impact their earnings.
Experience and expertise
As with any profession, experience and expertise can directly impact earning potential in real estate. Part-time agents who possess specialized knowledge or skills, such as expertise in a particular neighborhood or property type, may be able to command higher commissions and attract more clients willing to work with them.
Time and effort invested
While part-time agents may face limitations in terms of time and availability compared to their full-time counterparts, the time and effort they invest can still have a significant impact on their earnings. Part-time agents who are proactive, organized, and committed to their real estate endeavors are likely to see better results and higher earnings over time.
We conducted a survey of Allied Real Estate School alumni to determine how much California salespeople earn and how many hours they work. Based on the survey, the more hours real estate agents worked per week, the more their income rose. So, instead of asking, ‘How much do new real estate agents make?’ or ‘How much does a real estate agent make per month?’, it seems the real question is how many hours am I willing to put into my part-time real estate career?
How to Know if a Part-Time Real Estate Career is For You
Whether you can support yourself on a part-time real estate income depends largely on your current expenses and what you realistically expect to earn. If you’re hoping to achieve full-time earnings while working part-time hours, it’s possible—but not very likely. While California commissions and home values can be high, the cost of living is high as well.
Over time, as you build experience, a stronger network, and a steady pipeline, it becomes more feasible to earn well while working fewer hours. Many experienced agents make this shift by hiring administrative support, choosing listings and clients more carefully, and reducing the time they spend prospecting.
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Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only, based on a September 2025 survey of Allied Schools alumni and publicly available industry sources. While Allied strives for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, reliability, or applicability of the information. Earnings and outcomes vary widely based on factors like location, experience, and market conditions and should not be considered guarantees. This guide does not constitute professional advice. Users should consult additional sources for personalized guidance.
