Exploring the Payment Structures of Real Estate Agents – Hourly Wages or Commission-Based Models Hourly Wages for Real Estate Definition and explanation Agents in the real estate industry are usually not paid on an hourly rate. They are paid a commission based on the sale or acquisition of a property. This means that their income is directly tied to their ability to close deals and make successful transactions. The commissions are a percentage based on the final price of the property. They can vary based on the market, the client’s agreement and the particular agent. This commission will be divided