Real Estate Brokers
Real Estate Brokers (SOC 41-9021) earn a median $73,220 a year ($35.20 an hour) in the United States, with 46,100 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is New Jersey.
What real estate brokers do
Real estate brokers run a real estate office or work for a commercial real estate firm, overseeing property transactions. Their duties usually also include selling or renting property and arranging loans. A broker sells property that other people own, for a fee, gets owners to agree to list properties with real estate firms, and mediates between buyers and sellers on prices and settlement terms, including at closing. They use computers to produce lists of properties for sale, with locations, descriptions, and financing options, and compare a property with similar recent sales to set a competitive price. Brokers who manage an office handle its business details, and they follow up on purchase contracts so their terms are met on time. They stay informed on real estate law, local economies, fair housing laws, mortgage types, financing options, and government programs. Closing agent and buyer broker are among the titles listed.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a bachelor's degree as the usual education level (about 37 percent).
Also called: Broker, Broker Associate, Buyer Broker, Closing Agent, Contract Specialist.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $17.84 | $22.35 | $35.20 | $49.69 | $68.89 | $40.36 | 46,100 |
| Annual | $37,110 | $46,480 | $73,220 | $103,360 | $143,300 | $83,950 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where real estate brokers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $22.96 | $48.32 | $53.55 | $53.55 | $53.56 | $50.79 | 1,290 | 0.30 | 1.01 |
| Annual | $47,750 | $100,500 | $111,390 | $111,390 | $111,390 | $105,630 | ||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $35.24 | $48.19 | $50.86 | $52.53 | $52.53 | $48.84 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $73,290 | $100,240 | $105,800 | $109,260 | $109,260 | $101,590 | ||||
| Utah | Hourly | $22.73 | $38.02 | $44.63 | $50.81 | $71.19 | $46.39 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $47,280 | $79,070 | $92,830 | $105,670 | $148,070 | $96,480 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $37.42 | $39.80 | $39.80 | $46.36 | $49.59 | $43.14 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $77,830 | $82,790 | $82,790 | $96,440 | $103,140 | $89,720 | ||||
| Alabama | Hourly | $27.94 | $36.18 | $39.73 | $39.73 | $39.73 | $36.94 | 460 | 0.22 | 0.73 |
| Annual | $58,120 | $75,260 | $82,630 | $82,630 | $82,630 | $76,830 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $17.85 | $20.00 | $38.68 | $52.26 | $70.03 | $42.80 | 8,430 | 0.46 | 1.56 |
| Annual | $37,120 | $41,600 | $80,450 | $108,690 | $145,660 | $89,020 | ||||
| Arizona | Hourly | $25.02 | $25.02 | $35.70 | $35.70 | $59.51 | $36.71 | 3,790 | 1.17 | 3.95 |
| Annual | $52,040 | $52,040 | $74,260 | $74,260 | $123,770 | $76,350 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $18.42 | $23.23 | $31.74 | $55.82 | $78.12 | $42.49 | 3,640 | 0.37 | 1.23 |
| Annual | $38,320 | $48,310 | $66,010 | $116,100 | $162,500 | $88,370 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $21.31 | $26.80 | $38.45 | $48.23 | $65.00 | $44.00 | 3,280 | 1.14 | 3.84 |
| Annual | $44,320 | $55,750 | $79,970 | $100,310 | $135,200 | $91,510 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $17.29 | $20.46 | $30.48 | $41.18 | $53.41 | $32.89 | 2,040 | 0.15 | 0.49 |
| Annual | $35,970 | $42,550 | $63,390 | $85,660 | $111,090 | $68,410 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | Hourly | $24.79 | $41.52 | $80.93 | $80.93 | $88.07 | $65.94 | 160 | 0.20 | 0.67 |
| Annual | $51,570 | $86,370 | $168,320 | $168,320 | $183,190 | $137,160 | ||||
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | Hourly | $31.96 | $42.22 | $59.72 | $89.80 | $96.59 | $64.56 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $66,470 | $87,820 | $124,210 | $186,780 | $200,900 | $134,280 | ||||
| Boise City, ID | Hourly | $18.71 | $20.13 | $50.38 | $52.81 | $52.81 | $39.98 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $38,930 | $41,870 | $104,780 | $109,840 | $109,840 | $83,150 | ||||
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | Hourly | $8.24 | $23.36 | $49.56 | $54.55 | $54.55 | $38.55 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $17,140 | $48,580 | $103,070 | $113,460 | $113,460 | $80,190 | ||||
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | Hourly | $28.69 | $32.38 | $47.60 | $47.60 | $79.84 | $49.87 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $59,670 | $67,350 | $99,020 | $99,020 | $166,070 | $103,720 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 1,460 | 0.15 | 0.52 |
| Annual | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 990 | 0.34 | 1.15 |
| Annual | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||||
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | Hourly | $17.45 | $23.23 | $34.36 | $52.70 | $73.40 | $42.40 | 970 | 0.34 | 1.16 |
| Annual | $36,290 | $48,310 | $71,460 | $109,620 | $152,670 | $88,180 | ||||
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Hourly | $23.70 | $23.81 | $30.32 | $34.67 | $46.12 | $32.17 | 960 | 0.80 | 2.68 |
| Annual | $49,300 | $49,520 | $63,070 | $72,100 | $95,940 | $66,920 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $17.14 | $24.80 | $32.36 | $50.81 | $66.05 | $39.52 | 800 | 0.18 | 0.60 |
| Annual | $35,660 | $51,590 | $67,320 | $105,670 | $137,380 | $82,190 | ||||
Top industries employing real estate brokers
Real Estate employ 89.1% of real estate brokers nationally (41,070 jobs) at a median $72,700 a year ($34.95 an hour), followed by Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only) (2.0%) and Residential Building Construction (1.9%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate NAICS 531000 | 41,070 | 89.1% | $72,700 | $34.95 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only) NAICS 5220A1 | 940 | 2.0% | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| Residential Building Construction NAICS 236100 | 880 | 1.9% | $42,230 | $20.30 |
| Nondepository Credit Intermediation NAICS 522200 | 440 | 1.0% | $74,290 | $35.72 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises NAICS 551100 | 350 | 0.8% | $73,170 | $35.18 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (46,100). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $62,010 for real estate brokers in May 2021 and $73,220 in May 2025, with employment of 48,460 and 46,100.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $62,010 | $29.81 | 48,460 |
| May 2022 | $62,190 | $29.90 | 52,310 |
| May 2023 | $63,060 | $30.32 | 51,350 |
| May 2024 | $72,280 | $34.75 | 49,590 |
| May 2025 | $73,220 | $35.20 | 46,100 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
40 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey profile | $53.55 | $111,390 | $47,750 | $111,390 | 1,290 | 0.30 | 1.01 |
| 2 | Connecticut profile | $50.86 | $105,800 | $73,290 | $109,260 | ** | ** | ** |
| 3 | Utah profile | $44.63 | $92,830 | $47,280 | $148,070 | ** | ** | ** |
| 4 | Washington profile | $39.80 | $82,790 | $77,830 | $103,140 | ** | ** | ** |
| 5 | Alabama profile | $39.73 | $82,630 | $58,120 | $82,630 | 460 | 0.22 | 0.73 |
| 6 | Michigan profile | $39.67 | $82,510 | $43,990 | $118,680 | 1,150 | 0.26 | 0.88 |
| 7 | Maryland profile | $39.21 | $81,550 | $56,320 | $164,860 | 430 | 0.16 | 0.53 |
| 8 | California profile | $38.68 | $80,450 | $37,120 | $145,660 | 8,430 | 0.46 | 1.56 |
| 9 | New Mexico profile | $38.63 | $80,340 | $61,360 | $154,620 | ** | ** | ** |
| 10 | Colorado profile | $38.45 | $79,970 | $44,320 | $135,200 | 3,280 | 1.14 | 3.84 |
| 11 | Virginia profile | $37.15 | $77,270 | $45,250 | $189,360 | 1,500 | 0.37 | 1.23 |
| 12 | Vermont profile | $36.98 | $76,920 | $45,170 | $105,770 | 80 | 0.27 | 0.92 |
| 13 | Indiana profile | $36.06 | $75,000 | $30,190 | $211,420 | 740 | 0.23 | 0.77 |
| 14 | Hawaii profile | $35.72 | $74,310 | $35,560 | $133,870 | 160 | 0.26 | 0.87 |
| 15 | Arizona profile | $35.70 | $74,260 | $52,040 | $123,770 | 3,790 | 1.17 | 3.95 |
| 16 | Arkansas profile | $35.48 | $73,800 | $29,280 | $124,990 | 120 | 0.09 | 0.30 |
| 17 | North Dakota profile | $35.24 | $73,300 | $72,630 | $78,730 | 80 | 0.19 | 0.64 |
| 18 | Kansas profile | $33.65 | $69,990 | $18,550 | $125,210 | 290 | 0.20 | 0.69 |
| 19 | Delaware profile | $33.02 | $68,690 | $58,370 | $103,690 | 100 | 0.21 | 0.69 |
| 20 | Florida profile | $31.74 | $66,010 | $38,320 | $162,500 | 3,640 | 0.37 | 1.23 |
| 21 | Alaska profile | $31.64 | $65,820 | $37,490 | $151,190 | 100 | 0.30 | 1.01 |
| 22 | Ohio profile | $31.02 | $64,510 | $42,390 | $125,840 | ** | ** | ** |
| 23 | Texas profile | $30.48 | $63,390 | $35,970 | $111,090 | 2,040 | 0.15 | 0.49 |
| 24 | Montana profile | $30.40 | $63,240 | $24,730 | $123,780 | 400 | 0.79 | 2.65 |
| 25 | Oregon profile | $30.32 | $63,070 | $44,980 | $96,980 | 1,670 | 0.85 | 2.86 |
| 26 | Illinois profile | $30.07 | $62,540 | $35,450 | $137,380 | 990 | 0.16 | 0.55 |
| 27 | Missouri profile | $29.94 | $62,280 | $31,590 | $111,070 | 1,980 | 0.68 | 2.28 |
| 28 | Tennessee profile | $28.92 | $60,150 | $33,560 | $108,370 | 540 | 0.16 | 0.55 |
| 29 | West Virginia profile | $28.35 | $58,960 | $36,040 | $171,600 | 140 | 0.21 | 0.70 |
| 30 | Idaho profile | $27.72 | $57,660 | $38,930 | $123,690 | 380 | 0.45 | 1.51 |
| 31 | Maine profile | $26.58 | $55,280 | $35,190 | $136,090 | ** | ** | ** |
| 32 | North Carolina profile | $25.40 | $52,830 | $17,990 | $123,160 | 1,560 | 0.32 | 1.07 |
| 33 | New Hampshire profile | $24.76 | $51,490 | $30,920 | $202,900 | 120 | 0.18 | 0.60 |
| 34 | Iowa profile | $24.11 | $50,140 | $19,880 | $152,170 | ** | ** | ** |
| 35 | Mississippi profile | $20.05 | $41,690 | $30,470 | $100,910 | 60 | 0.06 | 0.19 |
| 36 | Minnesota profile | $19.16 | $39,850 | $36,190 | $146,130 | ** | ** | ** |
| – | Kentucky profile | * | * | * | * | 150 | 0.07 | 0.25 |
| – | Pennsylvania profile | * | * | * | * | 1,200 | 0.20 | 0.67 |
| – | South Carolina profile | * | * | * | * | 760 | 0.33 | 1.11 |
| – | Wisconsin profile | * | * | * | * | 440 | 0.15 | 0.50 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (41-9020), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Sales and Related Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 41-9021 Real Estate Brokers.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 41-9021, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 41-9021.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.