Real Estate Agent & Real Estate Broker Salary in All 50 States
Real estate agents in the United States earn a median annual wage of $56,320, while real estate brokers earn a median annual wage of $72,280, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you're searching for a clear breakdown of what real estate professionals make nationwide, these figures provide the fastest answer.
Earnings vary significantly by state and market conditions. Some areas offer higher income potential due to stronger housing demand and higher property values, while others fall well below the national median.
Below, you’ll find a full comparison of real estate agent and broker salaries across all 50 states, along with insights into the market factors that influence how much professionals can earn in this field. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.
How Much Do Real Estate Agents & Brokers Earn on Average?
For this analysis, we used salary data sourced from a third party platform to find the mean annual salary of real estate agents and brokers in each state. Here are the results:
| State | Agent | Broker | +/- national average for agents | +/- national average for brokers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $77,762 | $89,543 | -9.36% | -10.36% |
| Alaska | $92,394 | $106,392 | +7.69% | +7.72% |
| Arizona | $79,949 | $92,062 | -6.81% | -6.84% |
| Arkansas | $70,942 | $81,691 | -17.31% | -17.33% |
| California | $84,669 | $97,497 | -1.31% | -1.31% |
| Colorado | $90,213 | $103,880 | +5.15% | +5.15% |
| Connecticut | $81,613 | $93,978 | -4.87% | -5.00% |
| Delaware | $85,867 | $98,876 | +0.09% | +0.09% |
| Florida | $64,112 | $73,826 | -25.27% | -25.28% |
| Georgia | $72,442 | $83,417 | -15.56% | -15.58% |
| Hawaii | $89,135 | $102,640 | +3.90% | +3.90% |
| Idaho | $80,722 | $92,952 | -5.91% | -6.00% |
| Illinois | $83,135 | $95,731 | -3.10% | -3.10% |
| Indiana | $81,637 | $94,006 | -4.84% | -4.87% |
| Iowa | $80,582 | $92,791 | -6.07% | -6.10% |
| Kansas | $76,514 | $88,107 | -10.82% | -10.84% |
| Kentucky | $74,513 | $85,803 | -14.49% | -13.16% |
| Louisiana | $73,363 | $84,479 | -14.49% | -14.52% |
| Maine | $83,064 | $95,649 | -3.18% | -3.20% |
| Maryland | $83,265 | $95,881 | -2.95% | -2.95% |
| Massachusetts | $93,696 | $107,892 | +9.21% | +9.23% |
| Michigan | $74,777 | $86,106 | -12.84% | -12.90% |
| Minnesota | $84,026 | $96,757 | -2.06% | -2.07% |
| Mississippi | $81,252 | $93,562 | -5.29% | -5.31% |
| Missouri | $80,474 | $92,666 | -6.20% | -6.20% |
| Montana | $78,745 | $90,675 | -8.22% | -8.22% |
| Nebraska | $81,799 | $94,192 | -4.66% | -4.69% |
| Nevada | $87,363 | $100,599 | +1.83% | +1.84% |
| New Hampshire | $83,434 | $96,075 | -2.75% | -2.77% |
| New Jersey | $87,100 | $100,296 | +1.52% | +1.53% |
| New Mexico | $83,139 | $95,736 | -3.09% | -3.10% |
| New York | $93,860 | $108,081 | +9.40% | +9.42% |
| North Carolina | $77,969 | $89,781 | -9.12% | -9.14% |
| North Dakota | $90,776 | $104,529 | +5.81% | +5.81% |
| Ohio | $81,563 | $93,920 | -4.93% | -5.00% |
| Oklahoma | $79,215 | $91,217 | -7.67% | -7.72% |
| Oregon | $90,707 | $104,450 | +5.73% | +5.73% |
| Pennsylvania | $85,999 | $99,028 | +0.24% | +0.24% |
| Rhode Island | $84,018 | $96,747 | -2.07% | -2.08% |
| South Carolina | $79,612 | $91,673 | -7.20% | -7.22% |
| South Dakota | $85,793 | $98,791 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Tennessee | $77,867 | $89,664 | -9.24% | -9.25% |
| Texas | $79,929 | $92,039 | -6.84% | -6.88% |
| Utah | $78,103 | $89,936 | -8.96% | -8.97% |
| Vermont | $91,219 | $105,040 | +6.32% | +6.33% |
| Virginia | $85,057 | $97,944 | -0.86% | -0.86% |
| Washington | $97,169 | $111,890 | +13.26% | +13.25% |
| West Virginia | $66,418 | $76,481 | -22.58% | -22.64% |
| Wisconsin | $86,595 | $99,715 | +0.93% | +1.04% |
| Wyoming | $82,466 | $94,960 | -3.88% | -4.00% |
| National Average | $85,793 | $98,791 |
* ZipRecruiter salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources.
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How Much More Does a Broker Make Than a Real Estate Agent?
On average, real estate brokers earn more than agents because they hold a higher level of licensing, take on greater responsibilities, and often manage other agents within a brokerage. National salary data shows that brokers typically make over $10,000 more per year than agents, with many earning significantly higher depending on their business model and revenue streams.
Why Do Real Estate Brokers Earn Higher Income?
Real estate brokers generally earn a higher annual income due to expanded authority and additional responsibilities within the industry. Unlike agents, brokers can:
Operate independent brokerages
Supervise and train real estate agents
Negotiate higher commission splits
Manage compliance, contracts, and transactions
Because brokers take on more risk and oversight in real estate transactions, they are compensated at a higher rate. Their expertise and leadership often command premium earnings, especially in high-volume or luxury markets.
How Brokers Generate Multiple Revenue Streams
Brokers not only earn income from their own real estate transactions but can also generate revenue from a variety of additional sources. These may include:
Commission overrides from agents: Brokers earn a percentage of commissions generated by agents working under their license.
Desk fees or monthly office fees: Many brokerages charge agents a flat monthly fee for administrative support, office space, technology, or marketing resources.
Transaction fees: Brokers may collect a fee for every transaction closed within their brokerage.
Training or mentorship programs: Some brokers offer paid training, coaching, or onboarding services for new agents.
Property management revenue: Brokers may manage rental properties and earn additional fees from tenants or property owners.
These diversified income channels allow brokers to build more stable and scalable earnings than agents, whose income generally depends solely on individual sales.
States Where Real Estate Agents Earn the Most
These states offer the highest average earnings for real estate agents, driven by strong demand, higher home prices, and competitive market activity.
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
| 1 | Washington | $97,169 |
| 2 | New York | $93,860 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $93,696 |
| 4 | Alaska | $92,394 |
| 5 | Vermont | $91,219 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $90,776 |
| 7 | Oregon | $90,707 |
| 8 | Colorado | $90,213 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $89,135 |
| 10 | Nevada | $87,363 |
States Where Real Estate Agents Earn the Least
These states have the lowest average agent salaries, often due to lower home prices, smaller markets, or slower transaction volume.
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Florida | $64,112 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $66,418 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $70,942 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $73,363 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $74,513 |
| 45 | Michigan | $74,777 |
| 44 | Kansas | $76,514 |
| 43 | Alabama | $77,762 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $77,867 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $77,969 |
Where Do Real Estate Brokers Make the Most Money?
Below are the states where real estate brokers earn the highest annual incomes, reflecting strong market conditions and opportunities for experienced professionals.
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
| 1 | Washington | $111,890 |
| 2 | New York | $108,081 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $107,892 |
| 4 | Alaska | $106,392 |
| 5 | Vermont | $105,040 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $104,529 |
| 7 | Oregon | $104,450 |
| 8 | Colorado | $103,880 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $102,640 |
| 10 | Nevada | $100,599 |
Where Do Real Estate Brokers Make the Least Money?
These states report the lowest average broker salaries, typically influenced by more affordable housing markets and slower overall sales activity.
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
| 50 | Florida | $73,826 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $76,481 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $81,691 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $84,479 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $85,803 |
| 45 | Michigan | $86,106 |
| 44 | Kansas | $88,107 |
| 43 | Alabama | $89,543 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $89,664 |
| 41 | Utah | $89,936 |
How Do Real Estate Agents Get Paid?
Real estate agents are typically paid through commission, which is a percentage of a property’s final selling price. Instead of earning an hourly wage or fixed salary, agents receive compensation only when a transaction closes. This commission is usually shared between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent, and each agent then splits their portion with the brokerage they work under.
Because income depends on completed transactions, an agent’s earnings can vary widely from month to month. Factors such as market demand, home values, local competition, and the number of clients an agent serves all play a role in determining how much they ultimately earn. Experienced agents with strong networks and steady client pipelines tend to generate more consistent income over time.
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make Per Sale?
Real estate agents typically earn money by receiving a commission on each home they help buy or sell. This commission is usually a percentage of the property’s final sale price, most commonly ranging between 5% and 6%, though this amount can vary based on the market and the agreement between the agent and their client.
This total commission is then divided between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. Each agent then receives a portion of that amount based on their brokerage agreement. Because of this structure, the amount an agent earns per sale depends on three main factors:
The price of the home
The commission rate
The agent–broker commission split
Higher-priced properties typically lead to larger commission earnings, which is why agents in more expensive markets often report higher annual income.
How Is Commission Split?
Commission splits refer to how the total commission from a real estate transaction is divided between the real estate agents and their brokerages. While the exact percentages vary by company and experience level, most agents and brokers use one of the following common structures:
Agent–Broker Splits
Under this model, an agent shares a portion of their earned commission with their sponsoring brokerage. A new agent might start with a 50/50 split, while experienced agents may negotiate splits as favorable as 70/30, 80/20, or even 90/10.
Team Splits
Agents who work on real estate teams may participate in separate splits for leads generated by the team. For example, a team lead may take a percentage (such as 25–40%) in exchange for providing marketing support, mentorship, or client opportunities.
Flat Fees and Desk Fees
Some brokerages charge monthly desk fees instead of taking a percentage of commission. In these arrangements, agents pay a set fee for office resources and keep a larger share, or even 100%, of their commission.
Franchise or Transaction Fees
Certain brokerages charge per-transaction fees or franchise fees that slightly reduce the final amount an agent takes home.
Understanding commission splits helps agents calculate their earning potential and choose the brokerage model that best fits their goals.
How to Make More Money as a Real Estate Agent
Even though real estate agents make a nationwide average of $85,793, every agent makes a different salary. Salaries can range from $25,000 to over $1,000,000 a year! To make more money as a real estate agent, you will need to focus on gaining more experience, increasing your effort, and dedicating more time to your profession.
Additionally, your location and your niche expertise will influence your salary potential as an agent or broker.
Here are some tips that allow you to make more money as a real estate agent:
1. Gain Industry Experience
Like many careers, real estate rewards experience. Your first few years are often spent learning the market, building your network, and gaining confidence in your abilities. During this time, it’s normal for earnings to start below the national average.
As you complete more transactions and grow your understanding of contracts, negotiations, and client needs, your value as an agent increases, and so does your income. Continuing to sharpen your skills through real estate continuing education courses can also accelerate your growth and help you stay competitive in the industry.
Strong relationships are especially important in real estate, so consistently working on developing connections will help you build a solid referral base and strengthen your long-term earning potential. The more people you meet, support, and stay in touch with, the more opportunities you’ll create for future business.
2. Focus on Your Effort and Dedicate More Time to Your Profession
Though being a professional in the real estate industry allows a person to break away from the typical 9-to-5 workday, agents and brokers still need to put in a great amount of time and effort before they see lucrative results.
Time management is difficult when someone first breaks away from their job to pursue a career in real estate. However, people working in the real estate industry part-time will most likely make a part-time salary.
Simply put, the more time and effort you put into your craft, the more money you will make.
3. Find a Lucrative and Profitable Location
As you can see from the salary chart above, real estate agents and brokers make different salaries in different locations. This is because the real estate market is different in every state.
An agent working in New York City or Miami may have more work and make more in commission from higher-priced homes than a real estate agent working in a small town in Kansas.
Salaries may differ by location within each state. Higher demand and fast-paced purchases in a city are sure to garner more profit than the slower pace and lower demand in more rural areas.
If you are interested in making more money in real estate, find a location that has a high demand for real estate agents and is within a booming market.
4. Pick the Right Niche
Agents work in different types of niches. These different niches bring different commissions based on the demand and the current state of the market. Here are a few of the most popular types of niches for real estate agents.
Residential Real Estate
These agents usually work with families or individuals looking for a home. The most common property types are single-family homes, condominiums, co-ops, townhouses, duplexes, triple-deckers, quadplexes, high-value homes, multi-generational homes, and vacation homes.
Luxury Real Estate
These agents usually work with ultra-wealthy individuals who have assets of $50 million or more. They're among the world's wealthiest individuals, and it is difficult to break into this field of real estate without connections or a network already established.
Commercial Real Estate
These agents usually work with clients interested in purchasing business properties. These properties include shopping centers, strip malls, medical centers, educational buildings, hotels, offices, and apartment buildings.
Industrial Real Estate
These agents usually work with clients interested in purchasing property for manufacturing and warehouses. These properties are commonly used for research, production, storage, and distribution of goods. The main difference between Industrial and commercial properties is in the zoning of the property and the construction of the buildings.
Land and Vacant Property Real Estate
These agents usually work with clients interested in purchasing land. These properties include vacant land, working farms, and ranches. Vacant land includes undeveloped, early development, reuse, subdivision, and site assembly parcels.
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