What Do Top Real Estate Agents Make per Year? (2024)

Not all real estate agents earn the same amount of money. Agents enter the profession from all walks of life and with varying levels of education and motivation, and this can influence income.

Some do it for the money, while others are attracted to the glamour, excitement, and challenges of selling a property. Others want to be part of a profession that helps others accomplish their dreams.

Key Takeaways

  • Real estate agents' earnings range quite a bit, from a modest $25,000 or less to more than $1 million annually.
  • Agents' salaries are usually based on commission—a percentage of the sales price that they split with their brokerage.
  • Annual earnings for an agent will depend largely on how many homes they sell and the market in which they're selling.

How Much Does the Average Real Estate Agent Earn?

Most first-year real estate agents earn very little, primarily because they're struggling to learn the business while they build client bases. They can rely on referrals from satisfied clients to continue building their business as years go by, and they learn other ways to attract clients.

In 2020, the median pay for real estate agents in the U.S. was roughly $49,000. The lowest 10% of earners made less than $25,000, while the highest 10% of earners made more than $112,000.

Note

Real estate brokers typically earn more than real estate agents. In 2020, the median real estate broker pay was roughly $60,000. Each specific real estate designation has a best-use case, so it helps to understand which one you need for your situation.

How Real Estate Commissions Are Paid

How much agents earn depends on the number of transactions they complete, the commission that's paid to the brokerage, and their split with sponsoring brokers. Agents who are just starting typically receive a low commission split while they learn the business.

Apart from buyer-broker agreements that allow for direct payment to a buyer's broker, most real estate agents are paid through a listing agreement signed by the seller and the listing agent. The agent signs on behalf of the brokerage.

The listing broker then shares part of that commission with the brokerage that represents the buyer. All real estate commissions are negotiable, but agents set their own rates with fees paid directly to the broker, not the agent. Agents work for brokers.

Note

The seller typically designates how much the buyer's agents are paid, but it's also based on local custom.

A listing commission can vary from a flat fee to 10% or more of the sales price.

An Example

Let's look at an example of how much a listing agent would earn if the commission paid were 7% with a 50% split with the brokerage that produces the buyer.

If the sales price were $200,000, the total commission at 7% would be $14,000, of which $7,000 would be retained by the listing brokerage. From that $7,000, the listing agent would be paid on a split; for a first-year agent, you could expect to pay around 60%.

The agent would gross $4,200 at a 60% split. They would net about $2,940 of that after deducting federal and state taxes, which could amount to 30% or more. The agent also pays overhead and expenses, which could eat up another 20% of the gross, resulting in a net income of just $2,352.

How Many Homes Do Agents Sell?

Ideally, a real estate agent would want to sell as many homes per year as they can to earn the best salary. However, they may only sell a handful per year—it all depends on their clients, their region, and the broader market.

The saying is that "20% of the agents do 80% of the business." Agents don't generally go into the business wanting to be part of the 80% who achieve only 20% of sales, but that's often the stark reality.

How Much Do Top Real Estate Agents Make?

Top producers earn a lot more than the average real estate agent. Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's safe to say that a top producer would have to sell at least one home per month to qualify. Top producers earn around $112,610 a year to start, according to the BLS. Mega-stars could earn $500,000 per year and up.

Note

Rock star agents can sell $500 million worth of property per year in places such as Los Angeles, which means they personally could earn millions annually.

You can look at the dollar volume of the top producers, most of whom are listing agents, and you can pretty much figure out how much they earn per year. If a top producer tells you they sell $50 million per year, it's an educated guess that they earn at least a million dollars in commissions, and probably well over that.

Some agents have formed teams and hire other agents to work for them. Often, but not always, the team leader earns credit for each sale in that type of arrangement, even if a team member originates the transaction. Most team leaders are strong listing agents.

Discount real estate brokers have to sell more property than traditional full-service brokerages to earn the same amount of money. What discount brokers sacrifice in service is made up by the number of transactions—or at least that's the goal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you become a real estate agent?

The process for becoming a real estate varies by state. In general, you need to take a course to prepare for your licensing exam. Next, you'll take your licensing exam. If you pass, you'll need to complete any other required steps to get your license, which may include a background check.

What is a fair commission for a real estate agent?

Commissions are typically around 5% to 6% of the home's sales price. It does vary a bit by area and by the agent. If you're buying a home, you typically won't pay your real estate agent's commissions. Home sellers typically cover that. None of this is set in stone, however, and could be negotiated.

What Do Top Real Estate Agents Make per Year? (2024)

FAQs

How much do the top 1% of realtors make? ›

Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's safe to say that a top producer would have to sell at least one home per month to qualify. Top producers earn around $112,610 a year to start, according to the BLS. 1 Mega-stars could earn $500,000 per year and up.

What is the highest-paid real estate agent? ›

The highest-paid real-estate agent is a luxury broker.

Luxury brokers earn an average salary of $142,000 per year with commissions reaching up to $10M annually. As a luxury broker, you would specialize in multimillion-dollar deals and work closely with developers, architects, and designers.

What is the salary of a top 25% real estate agent? ›

National estimates for Real Estate Sales Agents:
Percentile10%25%
Hourly Wage$ 14.01$ 17.35
Annual Wage (2)$ 29,130$ 36,090

What do most real estate agents make a year? ›

Become a broker

The national average salary for a broker is $70,215 per year plus $42,000 commission. For the most up-to-date salary information, click on the link provided. Broker requirements vary by state, so it's important to research what you'll need to do in order to obtain your real estate broker license .

Are most millionaires real estate agents? ›

More importantly, real estate remains a wealth-building tool for the majority of moguls. An estimated ninety percent of millionaires were created through real estate investing. Any billionaire in the U.S. or anywhere around the globe that you know of has invested in real estate in some form or the other.

What percentage of millionaires are realtors? ›

90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago.

Can you be a millionaire as a realtor? ›

Becoming a millionaire real estate agent is possible, but it does not happen overnight. Only you can make it happen by constantly learning and being persistent in your goal. Ask yourself every day what you are doing that is getting yourself closer to your short term and long term goals.

Where do realtors make the most money? ›

Real estate agents in high cost of living cities such as New York and San Francisco tend to be the highest earners.

Where are real estate agents paid the most? ›

The highest-paid state for real estate agents is West Virginia with an average salary of $111,744 per year. What city pays real estate agents the most? Long Beach, NY pays real estate agents the most with an average salary of $111,838 per year.

Is it hard to make 100k as a real estate agent? ›

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a real estate agent. The chances of earning over $100k for a real estate agent are actually pretty good because the highest-paid real estate agent positions typically pay at least $126,000 per year.

How to make $1 million dollars as a real estate agent? ›

How To Make A Million Dollars In Real Estate
  1. Learn About Real Estate Investing.
  2. Establish Your Goals.
  3. Start Now, But Start Small.
  4. Write Offers For Affordable Deals.
  5. Generate Cash Flow.
  6. Start Growing Your Portfolio.
  7. Invest In Larger Properties.
  8. Continue Growing To 1 Million Dollars.

Is 6% a lot for a real estate agent? ›

A 6% real estate commission has long been considered the industry standard. Listing agents earn their 3% for helping the seller price their home accurately, prep it and market it to potential buyers, negotiate favorable contract terms, and navigate the closing process.

What is the highest paying occupation? ›

Highest-Paying Occupations
OCCUPATION2022 MEDIAN PAYPERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER NATIONAL MEDIAN
Chief Executives$189,520309.20%
Orthodontists$174,360276.50%
Computer and Information Systems Managers$164,070254.30%
Architectural and Engineering Managers$159,920245.30%
17 more rows

Why do real estate agents make so much money? ›

Why do real estate agents make more money from sales? Selling home costs money, but a large part of that is the agent's commission, which can be used for advertising and other expenses. Real estate agents are paid so much mainly because their properties generate income.

How much money do real estate agents make in NYC? ›

Average base salary

Estimated take-home pay: $83,065.

Where do 90% of millionaires come from? ›

Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate. More money has been made in real estate than in all industrial investments combined.

Is it hard to get rich in real estate? ›

There is no quick way to make money or get rich in real estate, but you can grow wealth gradually and consistently by investing correctly. You are probably aware that there are numerous ways to accumulate wealth, but real estate is one of the most effective.

What are the 3 L's of a millionaire real estate agent? ›

These principles are known as the 3 Ls of a millionaire real estate agent: Leads, Listings, and Leverage.

Can anyone get rich from real estate? ›

Can real estate make you rich? It can, but it's not a sure bet. The real estate market has boom and bust cycles, and real estate investors can lose money as well as make money.

Which will make you richer real estate or stocks? ›

Is real estate or stocks more profitable? Investments in real estate have historically earned 3% to 4% per year on average; contrasted to investments in stock market indexes earning approximately 10% annually over the long-term.

How many millionaires under 30? ›

About 1.79 million people under 30 in the United States are millionaires—about 8% of the millionaires in America.

Is real estate a safer investment than stocks? ›

While stocks are a well-known investment option, not everyone knows that buying real estate is also considered an investment. Under the right circ*mstances, real estate can be an alternative to stocks, offering lower risk, yielding better returns, and providing greater diversification.

How long does it take to be a millionaire in real estate? ›

It is possible to build a net worth of one million dollars in a couple of years with real estate. It also may take five years, ten years, or even fifteen years. Only five percent of households are millionaires so even if it takes a while you will be ahead of the pack.

How fast can you make money in real estate? ›

It can take about six months to start making money as a real estate agent. Everyone is different, but six months is around the time many agents make their first sale. To start making consistent money, you should plan for about a year. To make a profit, you should plan for up to 18 months.

Why do realtors do highest and best? ›

As the seller, you usually ask for the highest and best offer to eliminate negotiations and expedite the deal. It lets buyers know you're looking for only the most serious offers. Conversely, with a best and final offer, you're asking buyers to go above and beyond the competition to convince you to sell to them.

What is the highest level of real estate? ›

Certified Residential Specialist / CRS

The CRS designation is the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, managers, and brokers. On average, CRS designees earn nearly three times more in income, transactions, and gross sales than non-designee REALTORS®.

What type of broker makes the most money? ›

High Paying Brokerage Professional Jobs
  • Stock Broker. Salary range: $65,000-$225,000 per year. ...
  • Broker Associate. Salary range: $30,000-$120,000 per year. ...
  • Commodity Broker. Salary range: $30,000-$105,000 per year. ...
  • Energy Broker. Salary range: $58,500-$70,000 per year. ...
  • Broker. ...
  • Broker Assistant. ...
  • Brokerage Clerk.

What is the most common agent in real estate? ›

A real estate broker or salesperson operates as a special agent which is the type of agent that is most common for a real estate salesperson or broker to be. The special agent is one who is only granted limited authority to act on behalf of the principal.

How to make $100,000 a year? ›

How to make $100k a year
  1. Choose the right industry. The first step in earning at least $100,000 in salary is to choose a career in a more lucrative industry. ...
  2. Pursue a high-paying career. ...
  3. Consider your expenses. ...
  4. Move to a high-paying city. ...
  5. Invest in education. ...
  6. Add revenue streams. ...
  7. Negotiate your salary.
Mar 10, 2023

How can I be successful in my first year of real estate? ›

Grit - How to Survive Your First Year of Real Estate
  1. Get Your Mind Right. ...
  2. Choose Your Broker and Your Mentors Carefully. ...
  3. Create a First-Year Budget. ...
  4. Learn Everything You Can About Your Market. ...
  5. Find Your Niche. ...
  6. Set S.M.A.R.T. ...
  7. Create an Effective Routine. ...
  8. Prospect.

Is 100k enough to start in real estate? ›

Real estate represents a huge investment opportunity that welcomes investors with as little as $100,000. This amount will let an investor purchase a single property for rent or resale. Crowdfunding or joint ventures enable smaller investors to buy more costly commercial or residential properties.

Are you a millionaire if you buy a million dollar house? ›

Someone is considered a millionaire when their net worth, or their assets minus their liabilities, totals $1 million or more.

Can you make a million dollars flipping houses? ›

It is possible to make one million dollars a year flipping houses, but it takes a lot of work and planning. Flipping houses is a great way to make money, but you can also lose money if you don't do your homework.

How to invest $20 000 dollars in real estate? ›

What Is the Best Way To Invest $20K in Real Estate? A few options are available if you're looking to invest your $20,000 in real estate. You could purchase a property outright with friends or family, put the money into a real estate investment trust (REIT), or use it to wholesale real estate.

What does 640 mean in real estate? ›

Now we also know that a square acre is 43,560 feet because of our study tips in class. So if we divide 27,878,400 by 43,560 we get 640. So that means that ALL sections are 640 acres in total.

How many houses do most real estate agents sell? ›

If we assume it's about 50/50 for example's sake, the average Realtor® would sell an estimated six homes and help clients buy an estimated six homes per year. In reality, this breakdown will vary among Realtors®, some of whom may do more listings versus buy side transactions than others.

Why is a good realtor worth the money you pay in commission? ›

A real estate commission covers all the work that goes into buying and selling property. Trust us, a great agent does a lot to help you buy or sell a house. A seller's agent shows you how to stage your home for buyers and—since they know what similar homes in your area are selling for—they help you price it right.

What professions make $300000 a year? ›

What jobs make $300,000 per year?
  • Radiologist.
  • Chief executive officer (CEO)
  • Chief financial officer (CFO)
  • Principal software architect.
  • Obstetrics and gynecology physician.
  • Emergency medicine physician.
  • Psychiatrist.
  • Physician.
Mar 10, 2023

What is the happiest high paying job? ›

25 of the Happiest Jobs With a Good Starting Salary
  1. Entrepreneur. Average Salary: The average salary for an entrepreneur is almost $71,000 per year. ...
  2. Human Resources Manager. ...
  3. Graphic Designer. ...
  4. Real Estate Agent. ...
  5. Nurse Practitioner. ...
  6. Physician Assistant. ...
  7. Veterinarian. ...
  8. Fashion Designer.

What are the top 4 highest paying jobs? ›

  • Lawyers, nurse anesthetists, and emergency medicine physicians are all high-paying jobs.
  • That's based on May 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • The average annual salary for cardiologists far exceeded other jobs, with an average of $421,330.
Apr 27, 2023

What are the pros and cons of being a real estate agent? ›

The Pros and Cons of a Real Estate Career
  • Pro #1. Achieving Freedom. ...
  • Pro #2. Feeling Responsible. ...
  • Pro #3. Being Respected. ...
  • Pro #4. Excitement. ...
  • Con #1. Having Nothing to Do. ...
  • Con #2. Doing the Wrong Things. ...
  • Con #3. Weird Working Hours. ...
  • Con #4. Irregular Income.

Why is being a real estate agent so stressful? ›

High pressure environment

As a real estate agent, you're under a lot of pressure to get your clients the best deal. There is no room for error; if you don't close the sale and get them their dream home, it's going to be on your shoulders.

Do you need to be good in math for real estate? ›

If you want to become a real estate agent, you'll need to understand basic math concepts to successfully complete the real estate exam and calculate day-to-day transactions in real life. The following are instances in which real estate agents need to know math: Real estate exam. Determining square footage.

How much do beginner real estate agents make a month in New York? ›

First Year Real Estate Agent Salary in New York
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$140,617$11,718
75th Percentile$112,500$9,375
Average$89,370$7,447
25th Percentile$73,100$6,091

How much can a part time real estate agent make in NYC? ›

Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $66,063 (86.5%) and $133,342 (174.6%) more than the average Part Time Real Estate Agent salary of $76,382.

How much do commercial real estate agents make in NYC? ›

Commercial Real Estate Agents with this skill earn +51.61% more than the average base salary, which is $109,564 per year.

How much do the realtors on Million Dollar Listing make? ›

You'll generally pay 6% commission on a home's final sale price, which adds up to $60,000 for a million dollar home. The commission is split between the listing agent, the buyer's agent, and their brokers.

How much does the average realtor make in Texas? ›

Salaries by years of experience in Texas
Years of experiencePer year
1 to 2 years$71,148
3 to 5 years-
6 to 9 years$90,474
More than 10 years$88,641
1 more row
5 days ago

Can you make a million dollars in real estate? ›

When you invest in real estate, you could achieve a million-dollar or greater net worth simply because the properties you own and manage have gone up in value over the years. Few of us have the cash on hand to buy the property outright. This is why many put a down payment on a property before repairing it.

Did the $75 million house sell on Million Dollar Listing? ›

Has the $75million listing been sold yet? Unfortunately, despite being a beautiful house we'd all kill to live in, the property is still listed for sale, with exposure from Selling Sunset over the past three years doing little to draw in potential buyers.

Why do realtors get so much? ›

Why do real estate agents make more money from sales? Selling home costs money, but a large part of that is the agent's commission, which can be used for advertising and other expenses. Real estate agents are paid so much mainly because their properties generate income.

How much do luxury real estate agents make in Texas? ›

How much does a Luxury Real Estate Agent make in Texas? As of Jun 2, 2023, the average annual pay for a Luxury Real Estate Agent in Texas is $90,801 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $43.65 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,746/week or $7,566/month.

Is it worth becoming a realtor in Texas? ›

The benefits of becoming a Realtor generally outweigh the minor cons. For most Texas agents, getting a Realtor license is well worth the time and expense. If you plan a little time to complete the application and build the dues into your budget, you'll be able to enjoy the perks of your Realtor license.

Where do realtors make the most money in Texas? ›

Highest paying cities for Real Estate Agents near Texas
  • McKinney, TX. $102,027 per year. 14 salaries reported.
  • Haslet, TX. $101,388 per year. 6 salaries reported.
  • Austin, TX. $97,932 per year. 411 salaries reported.
  • Dallas, TX. $97,161 per year. 364 salaries reported.
  • San Antonio, TX. $89,843 per year. ...
  • Show more nearby cities.

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