How much does a real estate agent make?
a year · about $25 an hour
A typical real estate agent in the United States makes $52,830 a year, about $25 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
An agent may start at a desk checking deals, researching homes, and contacting clients, then drive to tour houses with buyers or meet sellers. They also handle paperwork and ads, and may help at an open house on a weekend.
Did you know? Beginners may go weeks or even months without making a sale.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $32,970 and $123,590How do you become one?
In the United States, finish high school or its equivalent, take your state’s required real-estate courses, pass its licensing exam, and get licensed; most states require you to be at least 18. Sales agents then work with a broker, and rules vary by state.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, agents earn part of a sale’s commission, so the number and value of sales, property type, and the share kept after the broker’s split matter. Experience and local market conditions also affect earnings, and agents often work evenings or weekends to meet clients. Beginners may go weeks or months without a sale.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New York ($102,990), lowest in Idaho ($39,820).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Kids' questions
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32,970 | $52,830 | $123,590 | about 193,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $102,990 | about 9,000 |
| Nevada | $79,990 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $79,130 | about 5,000 |
| South Dakota | $65,170 | about 640 |
| Virginia | $63,980 | about 6,000 |
Official definition: Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.
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.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2023/interview/real-estate-agent.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-9022.00
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY