Real Estate Sales Agents
Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.
Also called: Agricultural Real Estate Agent, Apartment Leasing Agent, Apartment Leasing Consultant, Apartment Rental Agent, Buyers Agent, Closing Agent
Median pay
$52,830
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$32,970 – $123,590
People employed
193,370
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.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Real Estate Sales Agents pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (47 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What real estate sales agents do
- 01Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
- 02Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
- 03Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of purchase agreements are met before closing dates.
- 04Appraise properties to determine loan values.
- 05Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements, and related matters.
- 06Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Communications and Media
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 high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- 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 sales agents
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel92% · +32%
- Advertising Sales Agents78% · +23%
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks77% · −5%
- New Accounts Clerks77% · −10%
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents76% · +83%
Change into real estate sales agents
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Travel Agents81% · $50,160
- Advertising Sales Agents78% · $64,820
- Customer Service Representatives78% · $44,770
- Retail Salespersons78% · $35,410
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks77% · $50,080
Majors that lead here
- Real Estate Development
- Real Estate
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.