Exploring the Payment Structure of Real Estate Agents: Hourly Wages versus Commission-Based Models Hourly Wages in Real Estate Definition and Explanation Agents of real estate are not usually paid hourly. 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 usually a percent of the sale price and can vary according to the market or the agreement between an agent and their client. This commission is split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent,