Real Estate Salary and Career Outlook
Research and compare real estate salary and job outlook information.
Some real estate careers, especially those on the development, corporate or financial side, involve working regular weekday office hours and receiving set salaries.
In contrast, brokers and realtors are paid by commission, so their real estate salary is determined by how much they sell or lease. And because property values are determined by location, how much brokers and realtors make is greatly affected by where they work.
A licensed real estate agent generally works for a real estate broker, who has spent more time in the profession and has received additional training and licensing. Since agents are almost always paid by commission—and if they are supervised by a broker some of their fees are paid to the brokerage—it's uncommon to set a firm salary for an agent. Agent salaries will be determined by the results they produce.
Job Outlook
| Real Estate Career | Job Outlook Through 2020* |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent or Broker | 11%, about as fast as other occupations |
| Real Estate Appraiser or Assessor | 7%, slower than average |
| Property or Community Association Manager | 6%, slower than average |
| Real Estate Loan Officer | 14%, about as fast as other occupations |
Real Estate Salaries
| Real Estate Career | Median Annual Salary* |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent or Broker | $42,680 |
| Real Estate Appraiser or Assessor | $48,500 |
| Property or Community Association Manager | $51,480 |
| Real Estate Loan Officer | $56,490 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data published March 27, 2012; Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents; Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate; Property, Real Estate and Community Association Managers; Loan Officers.
*The salary information listed is based on a national average, unless noted. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.
