How much does a real estate agent make?
The median real estate agent in the United States earns $52,830 per year, about $25.40 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all real estate agents earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 41-9022.
Real estate agent salary range
Pay for real estate agents spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,970 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $123,590. The average (mean) wage of $69,510 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,970 | $15.85 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,040 | $19.25 | |
| Median (50th) | $52,830 | $25.40 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $82,020 | $39.43 | |
| 90th percentile | $123,590 | $59.42 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for real estate sales agents (SOC 41-9022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Real estate agent salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Real estate agents earn the most in District of Columbia at $123,770 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $38,180. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,770 | 590 |
| New York | $102,990 | 8,660 |
| New Jersey | $99,990 | N/A |
| Alaska | $89,170 | 170 |
| Nevada | $79,990 | 1,490 |
| Washington | $79,130 | 5,150 |
| Montana | $79,100 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $76,170 | 550 |
| North Dakota | $73,920 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $65,170 | 640 |
| Virginia | $63,980 | 5,750 |
| Colorado | $63,670 | 6,120 |
| Oregon | $61,610 | 1,940 |
| Alabama | $60,890 | 1,580 |
| Rhode Island | $60,310 | N/A |
| Illinois | $59,220 | 6,030 |
| West Virginia | $59,050 | 370 |
| Arizona | $58,780 | 5,610 |
| Kentucky | $58,610 | 1,120 |
| Wisconsin | $58,120 | 5,680 |
| Michigan | $57,880 | 2,210 |
| New Hampshire | $57,620 | 240 |
| California | $57,560 | 17,500 |
| Maine | $56,930 | 740 |
| South Carolina | $56,580 | 4,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,040 | 5,510 |
| Maryland | $52,630 | 2,940 |
| North Carolina | $51,240 | 7,960 |
| Utah | $50,720 | 4,240 |
| Wyoming | $49,990 | 300 |
| Florida | $49,310 | 26,790 |
| Oklahoma | $47,980 | 3,710 |
| Nebraska | $47,240 | 1,400 |
| Delaware | $47,180 | 900 |
| Indiana | $46,880 | 3,680 |
| Connecticut | $46,770 | N/A |
| Georgia | $46,730 | 9,940 |
| Minnesota | $46,410 | 2,530 |
| Tennessee | $46,250 | 2,360 |
| Ohio | $46,240 | 5,130 |
| Hawaii | $46,220 | 690 |
| Louisiana | $45,850 | 1,940 |
| Texas | $45,740 | 22,250 |
| Missouri | $43,960 | 1,590 |
| Idaho | $39,820 | 1,170 |
| Kansas | $39,770 | 1,450 |
| Mississippi | $39,550 | 670 |
| Arkansas | $38,180 | 1,640 |
State median wages for real estate sales agents (SOC 41-9022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for real estate agents
The BLS projects employment of real estate agents to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 427,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 434,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 32,600 openings a year for real estate agents. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a real estate agent
The typical entry-level education for real estate agents is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a real estate agent earns
Commission structure, product, employer, and territory drive a wide pay spread. Top performers in high ticket sales earn far above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $123,770) and the lowest (Arkansas, $38,180) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 193,370 people work as real estate agents in the United States. At $52,830 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Real estate agent salary FAQ
How much does a real estate agent make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a real estate agent is $25.40. The middle half of real estate agents earn between $19.25 and $39.43 per hour.
What is the highest real estate agent salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of real estate agents earn more than $123,590 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a real estate agent make a year?
The median annual salary for a real estate agent is $52,830. The average (mean) wage of $69,510 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a real estate agent a well paid job?
At $52,830 a year, a real estate agent earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 193,370 people work as real estate agents in the United States.
Which state pays real estate agents the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for real estate agents at $123,770 a year. New York ($102,990) and New Jersey ($99,990) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a real estate agent a good career?
Employment of real estate agents is projected to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 32,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a real estate agent?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for real estate agents as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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