Real Estate Agent
Help people buy, sell and rent homes and property: licensed by your state.
- $52,830
- 1–6 months (licensing)
Sales & Retail career
Real Estate Broker
Also called: Managing Broker · Principal Broker · Broker Associate · Designated Broker
What real estate brokers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a real estate broker do?
Real estate brokers help clients buy, sell and rent property, supervise agents, manage transactions and trust accounts, and may own or manage brokerages. The median pay is $73,220 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2–3 years as an agent plus broker courses, and employment is projected to grow +0.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$73,220$35.20/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+0.8%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year7,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train2–3 years as an agent plus broker coursesTypical program length
- U.S. jobs103,500Employment, 2025
What real estate brokers do
Real estate brokers are licensed at a higher level than agents. They can work independently, manage other agents and run brokerages. Brokers list and sell properties, represent buyers, negotiate offers, oversee transactions, review contracts, manage escrow funds and supervise agents’ compliance.
Becoming a broker usually requires experience as a licensed agent, additional education and a broker exam. Income depends on commissions and the success of agents under the broker.
Typical duties
- Represent buyers and sellers
- List and market properties
- Negotiate offers and contracts
- Supervise and train agents
- Review transaction documents
- Manage escrow and trust accounts
- Ensure compliance with real estate laws
Work environment and schedule
Brokers work in offices, homes for sale and the field, driving to showings and meetings.
Schedule: Hours are flexible but often include evenings and weekends.
A day in the life
- Review new listings and pending transactions.
- Train new agents on contract writing.
- Show homes to buyers.
- Review an agent’s offer before submission.
See a full day in the life of a real estate broker →
Real Estate Broker salary
Half of real estate brokers earned more than $73,220 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,110 for the lowest 10% to $143,300 for the top 10%.
Full real estate broker pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a real estate broker
- Get a real estate agent license
- Gain experience
- Complete broker education
- Pass the broker exam
- Lead or own a brokerage
A high school diploma is typical. Brokers first work as licensed agents, then complete broker pre-licensing education and pass a broker exam. Many have college degrees.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a real estate broker →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Real estate law and contracts
- Negotiation
- Pricing and market analysis
- Agent supervision
- Trust account management
People skills
- Leadership
- Negotiation
- Communication
- Integrity
All real estate broker skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Higher earning potential than agents
- Independence
- Run your own business
- Help people with big decisions
Cons
- Income depends on sales
- Responsibility for agents’ compliance
- Evenings and weekends
- Market cycles
Certifications and licenses
- State real estate broker license: Required to work as a broker.
- Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB): Credential for brokerage leaders.
- Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI): Professional development designation.
- Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR): Buyer representation credential.
Career path
- Real Estate Agent: Help buyers and sellers.
- Broker Associate: Work under a managing broker.
- Managing Broker: Supervise agents.
- Brokerage Owner: Run your own firm.
Learn the job before day one
Our Real Estate Broker training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as price a listing with a comparative market analysis and review an agent’s contract, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Property Manager
Run apartment communities and commercial buildings for owners and residents.
- $69,990
- 1–3 years of experience
Loan Officer
Help people and businesses get mortgages and loans, from application to closing.
- $76,690
- 3–6 months for mortgage licensing
Insurance Agent
Help people and businesses protect what matters with the right insurance.
- $62,280
- 2–8 weeks for licensing
Compare: Real Estate Broker vs. Real Estate Agent · Real Estate Broker vs. Property Manager · Real Estate Broker vs. Loan Officer · Real Estate Broker vs. Insurance Agent
Real Estate Broker FAQ
What’s the difference between an agent and a broker?
Brokers have a higher license and can supervise agents and run brokerages.
How long does it take to become a broker?
Usually a few years of agent experience plus courses and an exam.
Do brokers earn more?
They can, through their own sales and agents’ splits.
How much does a real estate broker make?
The median annual wage for real estate brokers was $73,220 ($35.20 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,110 and the highest 10% earned more than $143,300.
How long does it take to become a real estate broker?
Most people need about 2–3 years as an agent plus broker courses of training. A high school diploma is typical. Brokers first work as licensed agents, then complete broker pre-licensing education and pass a broker exam. Many have college degrees.
Do you need a degree to be a real estate broker?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education.
More real estate broker questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 41-9021 (Real estate brokers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Real estate brokers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.