How much does the typical REALTOR® earn in a year? The material listed here includes statistics from NAR Research, articles from REALTOR® Magazine, and other sources offering details about the income of agents and brokers and what determines how much they make.

Income Data from NAR

Source: 2012 NAR Member Profile, (National Association of REALTORS® - Research, 2012).

From the NAR Archives

In its first all-member survey conducted in 1949, NAR found that the typical licensed broker earned an annual income of $10,000.

Articles, Surveys & More from NAR

Member Income by Function, (NAR - Economists' Outlook, Dec. 20, 2011).

NAR Member Survey Shows Focus on Training, Commitment to Profession, (NAR News Release, May 17, 2011).

Did You Know: Member Gross vs. Net Incomes, (Economist's Commentary, May 25, 2010).

Realtor® Member Survey Shows Response to Challenging Market, (NAR News Release, May 13, 2009).

REALTORS® Increasing Professionalism, Survey Shows, (NAR News Release, May 14, 2008).

Income and expenses: Size up your earnings, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2004).

Academic Articles & Studies

Determinants of real estate agent compensation choice, (Journal of Housing Research, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2009). Q

Real Estate Agent Salary Info, (Salary.com).

The role of commission rates and specialization in the determination of real estate agent income, (Journal of Housing Research, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2007).  Q

The impact of information technology on real estate licensee income, (Journal of Real Estate Practice and Education, 2002).

U.S. real estate agent income and commercial/investment activities, (Journal of Real Estate Research, May/June 2001). Q

Determinants of real estate licensee income, (Journal of Real Estate Research, 1997). Q

Websites & Other Resources

Updated each year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Real Estate Brokers & Agents section of the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes data on average earnings and wages of real estate licensees.

Salary.com's Salary Wizard features information on median expected annual income for real estate licensees, using survey data from human resources departments around the country.

eBooks & Other Resources

eBooks.realtor.org

The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:

Bank On Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Growing and Protecting Your Financial Future  (Overdrive Audiobook)

The Road to Wealth: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Money  (Adobe eReader)

Field Guides & More

These field guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:

Field Guide to Compensation Plans for Real Estate Agents

Field Guide to Investing in Real Estate

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The inclusion of links on this field guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this field guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.