How much does a real estate broker make?
Answer: A typical real estate broker in the United States makes $73,220 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 46,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Real estate broker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,110 | $73,220 | $143,300 | about 46,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $82,510 | about 1,000 |
| Colorado | $79,970 | about 3,000 |
| Florida | $66,010 | about 4,000 |
| Texas | $63,390 | about 2,000 |
| Oregon | $63,070 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., brokers often earn commissions, so income depends on closed deals, property type and price, and how the commission is divided with the firm or other brokers. Experience, local demand, and time spent finding clients also matter; beginners may go weeks or months without a sale.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a real estate broker do?
Operate real estate office, or work for commercial real estate firm, overseeing real estate transactions. Other duties usually include selling real estate or renting properties and arranging loans.
What's a typical day like?
A broker may compare nearby home sales, set a listing price, negotiate deal terms, and handle office details. They visit properties and meet clients, sometimes in evenings or on weekends.
How to get this job
In the U.S., finish high school or equivalent, take real-estate classes, and pass an agent exam, usually at 18. Then gain agent experience (at least two years in most states), take broker classes, and pass a broker exam; rules differ by state.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
In the U.S., beginners may go weeks or even months without a sale, so a real-estate broker's income can be uneven.
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Sales jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-9021.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-9022.00
- dos.ny.gov/become-real-estate-broker
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY