How to Become a Real Estate Agent
Help clients buy, sell, and rent properties by assessing market conditions, staging showings, and negotiating transactions. It typically requires a high school diploma (with licensure), with a median salary of $52,830 per year and about average projected job growth.
Median pay
$52,830/yr
Job growth
3%
Openings / yr
36,600
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Negotiation
- Market Analysis
- Customer Service
- Sales
- Networking
Helpful certifications
- State Real Estate License
- NAR Realtor Certification
- CRS (Certified Residential Specialist)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
35/100
Work-life balance
45/100
Stress level
50/100
Satisfaction
68/100
Related careers
- Financial Manager$166,570 median
- Actuary$130,000 median
- Personal Financial Advisor$105,070 median
- Financial Analyst$102,740 median
- Management Consultant$101,860 median
- Financial Examiner$94,160 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Real Estate Agent make?
The median pay for a Real Estate Agent is $52,830 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Real Estate Agent?
The usual entry point is a high school diploma (with licensure). Common majors are Business Administration, Real Estate, Finance, and Marketing.
Is Real Estate Agent a growing field?
The BLS projects about average demand for this role, about 3% over the decade, with roughly 36,600 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Real Estate Agent use most?
Common skills for this role are Negotiation, Market Analysis, Customer Service, Sales, and Networking.
Planning to become a Real Estate Agent?
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.