Salary guide
Real Estate Broker Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What real estate brokers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median real estate broker salary in the U.S. is $73,220 per year, or $35.20 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,110, while the top 10% earned more than $143,300.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Real Estate Broker pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,110 | $17.84 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $46,480 | $22.35 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $73,220 | $35.20 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $103,360 | $49.69 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $143,300 | $68.89 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $46,480 | $73,220 | $103,360 |
| Per month | $3,873 | $6,102 | $8,613 |
| Every two weeks | $1,788 | $2,816 | $3,975 |
| Per week | $894 | $1,408 | $1,988 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects real estate broker pay
- Commission, bonus and base-pay mix
- Product type (technical, financial and B2B sales usually pay more)
- Licenses such as state insurance or FINRA securities licenses
- Territory, customer base and track record
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a real estate broker
- Get credentialed: State real estate broker license, Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB), Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI).
- Build specialty experience: Work under a managing broker.
- Move up: roles such as managing broker and brokerage owner typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Real Estate Broker pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of real estate brokers to change by +0.8% from 2025–35, little or no change compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,800 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 41-9021 (“Real estate brokers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Real Estate Broker salary FAQ
How much does a real estate broker make per hour?
The median hourly wage for real estate brokers was $35.20 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $17.84 and the top 10% earned about $68.89 or more.
How much does a real estate broker make a month?
At the median annual wage of $73,220, that works out to about $6,102 per month before taxes, or about $2,816 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a real estate broker?
New real estate brokers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $37,110 and the 25th percentile was $46,480 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can real estate brokers earn more?
Common ways include earning State real estate broker license and Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as managing broker.
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.