Real Estate Brokers
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.
Also called: Broker, Broker Associate, Buyer Broker, Buyers Agent, Closing Agent, Commercial Leasing Broker
Median pay
$73,220
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,110 – $143,300
People employed
46,100
Holland code
ECS
Enterprising · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 3.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 4.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 5.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 6.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Work outdoors in all weather
Real Estate Brokers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (36 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What real estate brokers do
- 01Obtain agreements from property owners to place properties for sale with real estate firms.
- 02Sell, for a fee, real estate owned by others.
- 03Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
- 04Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers over property prices and settlement details and during the closing of sales.
- 05Generate lists of properties for sale, their locations, descriptions, and available financing options, using computers.
- 06Maintain knowledge of real estate law, local economies, fair housing laws, types of available mortgages, financing options, and government programs.
Skills that matter most
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Sales and Marketing
- English Language
- Economics and Accounting
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from real estate brokers
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents88% · +7%
- Loan Officers85% · +5%
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers82% · −4%
- Insurance Sales Agents82% · −15%
- Sales Managers82% · +102%
Change into real estate brokers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents85% · $78,660
- Loan Officers82% · $76,690
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers82% · $69,990
- Insurance Sales Agents78% · $62,280
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products76% · $72,080
Majors that lead here
- Real Estate Development
- Real Estate
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.