Operate real estate office, or work for commercial real estate firm, overseeing real estate transactions. Other duties usually include selling real estate or renting properties and arranging loans.
Real Estate Brokers
SOC: 41-9021 O*NET: 41-9021.00
Median Salary
$73,220
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Operate real estate office, or work for commercial real estate firm, overseeing real estate transactions. Other duties usually include selling real estate or renting properties and arranging loans.
What does a Real Estate Brokers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,110
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,480
25th percentile
Median
$73,220
50th percentile
Experienced
$103,360
75th percentile
Top Earners
$143,300
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,110
25th
$46,480
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$73,220
Mean: $83,950
75th
$103,360
90th
$143,300
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $106,190 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,480 and $103,360
- •Salary spread is 77.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 46,100 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:103,500
Top Industries
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing89.2%
Real Estate89.1%
Finance and Insurance4.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.8%
Annual Openings:7,800
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)103,500
Current
2035 (Projected)104,300
+0.8%
+800
Employment Change
+0.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Real Estate Brokers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 40 locations
California
8,430 jobs$80,4501.56x
Arizona
3,790 jobs$74,2603.95x
Florida
3,640 jobs$66,0101.23x
Colorado
3,280 jobs$79,9703.84x
Texas
2,040 jobs$63,3900.49x
Missouri
1,980 jobs$62,2802.28x
Oregon
1,670 jobs$63,0702.86x
North Carolina
1,560 jobs$52,8301.07x
Virginia
1,500 jobs$77,2701.23x
New Jersey
1,290 jobs$111,3901.01x
Pennsylvania
1,200 jobs$00.67x
Michigan
1,150 jobs$82,5100.88x
Illinois
990 jobs$62,5400.55x
South Carolina
760 jobs$01.11x
Indiana
740 jobs$75,0000.77x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Sales and Marketing
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Customer and Personal Service
94%
#5
Critical Thinking
94%
#6
Oral Comprehension
92%
#7
English Language
86%
#8
Reading Comprehension
86%
#9
Written Comprehension
82%
#10
Active Listening
80%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Sales and Marketing
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
English Language
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Sales and Marketing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance94%
knowledge
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Written Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Law and Government
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Negotiation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Advertising Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators82%
5 shared skills
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products82%
5 shared skills
Labor Relations Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Lawyers82%
5 shared skills
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Sales and Marketing
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Persuasion
- →Writing
- →Economics and Accounting
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Sales and Marketing
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Sales and Marketing
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★English Language
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Real Estate Brokers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechYardi software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASP
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Access
Yardi software
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Management & Supervision (3)
1
Sell, for a fee, real estate owned by others.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Obtain agreements from property owners to place properties for sale with real estate firms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Monitor fulfillment of purchase contract terms to ensure that they are handled in a timely manner.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers over property prices and settlement details and during the closing of sales.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Generate lists of properties for sale, their locations, descriptions, and available financing options, using computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain knowledge of real estate law, local economies, fair housing laws, types of available mortgages, financing options, and government programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Check work completed by loan officers, attorneys, or other professionals to ensure that it is performed properly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Arrange for financing of property purchases.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Appraise property values, assessing income potential when relevant.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Real Estate Brokers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Real Estate Brokers professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value independence
EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Real Estate Brokers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.74
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.59
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.56
Persistence
CriticalPersistence
Importance Level4.52
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.50
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.45
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Initiative
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Persistence
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Achievement/Effort
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Independence
4.4
Dependability
4.4
Concern for Others
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Real Estate Brokers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Real Estate Brokers
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
5.3k program completions/year
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
2.6k program completions/year
Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
2.5k program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
1.9k program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
1.9k program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
1.4k program completions/year
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
1.3k program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
1.3k program completions/year
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
1.1k program completions/year
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA
1.0k program completions/year
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
974 program completions/year
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, GA
844 program completions/year