Business & Office career

Real Estate Agent

Also called: Realtor · Real Estate Salesperson · Listing Agent · Buyer’s Agent

What real estate agents do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a real estate agent do?

Real estate agents help clients buy, sell and rent properties (pricing homes, marketing listings, showing properties, negotiating offers and guiding transactions to closing) while working under a licensed broker. The median pay is $52,830 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–6 months (licensing), and employment is projected to grow +1.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $52,830
    $25.40/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +1.7%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    32,600
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–6 months (licensing)
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    427,000
    Employment, 2025

What real estate agents do

Real estate agents are part salesperson, part project manager and part advisor. They prospect for clients, prepare comparative market analyses, list and market homes, show properties, write and negotiate offers and coordinate inspections, appraisals and closings.

Every state requires a license: you complete pre-licensing education (hours vary widely by state), pass a state exam and work under a supervising broker. Most agents are paid by commission, so income varies: top earners do very well, while new agents often take time to build a client base.

Typical duties

  • Prospect for buyers and sellers and build a referral network
  • Prepare comparative market analyses to price homes
  • List and market properties online and in person
  • Show homes and hold open houses
  • Write, present and negotiate offers
  • Coordinate inspections, appraisals, financing and closing
  • Follow fair housing, disclosure and agency laws

Work environment and schedule

Agents work from brokerage offices, home offices, cars and clients’ properties. The job involves driving, evenings and weekends, and lots of phone and online communication.

Schedule: Flexible but irregular. Many showings and calls happen evenings and weekends. Many agents are independent contractors who set their own hours.

A day in the life

  1. Check new listings on the MLS and follow up with three buyer leads.
  2. Prepare a comparative market analysis for a listing appointment.
  3. Meet sellers, walk the home and present pricing and marketing plans.
  4. Show four homes to first-time buyers after reviewing their buyer agreement and pre-approval.

See a full day in the life of a real estate agent →

Real Estate Agent salary

Half of real estate agents earned more than $52,830 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $32,970 for the lowest 10% to $123,590 for the top 10%.

Full real estate agent pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a real estate agent

  1. Check your state’s requirements
  2. Complete pre-licensing education
  3. Pass the state exam
  4. Join a brokerage
  5. Build your business

A high school diploma is typical. Every state requires pre-licensing coursework (the number of hours varies widely), a licensing exam and association with a supervising broker. Continuing education is required to renew.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a real estate agent →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Market analysis and pricing
  • Contracts and negotiation
  • MLS and marketing tools
  • Transaction management
  • Real estate law and disclosure

People skills

  • Relationship building
  • Negotiation
  • Self-motivation
  • Communication

All real estate agent skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast entry: licensing in weeks to months
  • High earning potential with no income cap
  • Flexible schedule and independence
  • Helping people with major life milestones

Cons

  • Commission-based, unpredictable income
  • Evenings and weekends
  • Business expenses such as fees and marketing
  • Market cycles affect sales

Certifications and licenses

  • State real estate salesperson license: Required in every state; issued after pre-licensing education and exam.
  • Broker license: Allows you to work independently and supervise agents; requires experience and additional education.
  • REALTOR® membership: Membership in the National Association of REALTORS®, which carries a code of ethics.
  • Designations (ABR, SRS, CRS, GRI): Advanced training credentials in buyer representation, seller representation and more.

Career path

  1. Licensed Agent: Help buyers and sellers under a broker.
  2. Team Lead or Specialist: Lead a team or specialize in luxury, commercial or investment property.
  3. Associate Broker: Earn a broker license and mentor agents.
  4. Managing Broker or Brokerage Owner: Run your own brokerage.

Learn the job before day one

Our Real Estate Agent training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as prepare a comparative market analysis and hold a successful open house, safety and how to land your first job.

View Real Estate Agent trainingIs this career right for me?

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Real Estate Agent FAQ

How long does it take to get a real estate license?

It depends on the state’s required pre-licensing hours, often a few weeks to a few months, plus passing the exam.

Are real estate agents paid a salary?

Most are paid by commission, which is negotiable and varies by transaction. Some brokerages or teams offer salaried roles.

What’s the difference between a real estate agent and a REALTOR®?

A REALTOR® is a licensed agent who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and follows its code of ethics.

How much does a real estate agent make?

The median annual wage for real estate agents was $52,830 ($25.40 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $32,970 and the highest 10% earned more than $123,590.

How long does it take to become a real estate agent?

Most people need about 1–6 months (licensing) of training. A high school diploma is typical. Every state requires pre-licensing coursework (the number of hours varies widely), a licensing exam and association with a supervising broker. Continuing education is required to renew.

Do you need a degree to be a real estate agent?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More real estate agent questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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