How much does a real estate agent make?
Answer: A typical real estate agent in the United States makes $52,830 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 193,000 people work in this job. About the same as 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 agent 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $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 |
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.
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 agent do?
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.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Beginners may go weeks or even months without making a sale.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
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.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