Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Real estate brokers help clients buy, sell, and manage real estate transactions and typically work in roles that blend sales, negotiation, and client service. Nationally, this occupation employs about 111,000 people, indicating a sizable professional community. The typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, which can make this path accessible to people who do not plan to complete a four-year degree. The role rewards strengths in customer service, speaking and listening, interpersonal communication, and problem solving, along with abilities in project management and basic mathematics. National employment for real estate brokers is projected to grow 3.3%, with about 10,000 annual openings, suggesting a steady flow of opportunities from new positions and turnover. For those interested in sales-focused careers tied to property transactions and client relationships, real estate brokering offers a structured path with defined education expectations, clear skill needs, and opportunities across many states and metro areas.
Real estate brokers have a national median annual salary of $72,280, offering solid earning potential. Salaries vary by state and metro area. Among top states by opportunity score, Maryland reports a median salary of $81,550, California $80,450, Colorado $79,970, Virginia $77,270, and Texas $63,390. This range shows that compensation can differ meaningfully by location. At the metro level, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC shows a median salary of $95,320, the highest among the listed metros, while Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD matches Maryland’s state median at $81,550. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has a median of $67,320, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $63,070, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $71,460. These figures highlight that some local markets may offer higher typical pay than the national median, while others are closer to or below it, giving brokers reasons to compare regional pay when planning their careers.
Real estate brokers have national employment of about 111,000, reflecting a well-established occupation. Projected employment growth is 3.3%, indicating that the number of positions is expected to increase. In addition, there are about 10,000 annual openings, which combines opportunities from new growth and from people leaving the occupation or changing roles. This combination of existing employment, projected growth, and steady annual openings suggests a continuing need for brokers across the country. The listed states and metro areas all share the same projected growth rate of 3.3%, providing a consistent growth outlook in those markets. For students, job seekers, and career changers, these data points indicate that real estate brokering offers ongoing entry points into the field, with opportunities to move into different regions or metro areas depending on personal preferences and salary considerations.
Location plays a meaningful role in opportunity for real estate brokers. Among states, California has a high opportunity score of 67.38, with a median salary of $80,450 and employment of 8,430, making it a large employment center in this field. Colorado, Virginia, Maryland, and Texas also stand out, with opportunity scores ranging from about 51.57 to 56.97. Maryland combines a relatively high median salary of $81,550 with a moderate employment level of 430, while Texas offers a lower listed median salary of $63,390 and employment of 2,040. At the metro level, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ranks highest by opportunity score at 55.57, with a median salary of $67,320 and employment of 800. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC shows the highest median salary among the listed metros at $95,320, while Portland, Miami, and Baltimore offer varied mixes of salaries and employment levels. Comparing these figures can help brokers weigh potential trade-offs between pay, job concentration, and overall opportunity score when choosing where to work.
For real estate brokers, the typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, which makes the field accessible to individuals who may not pursue a college degree. However, success in the occupation draws on a broad set of skills. Customer service, speaking and listening, and interpersonal skills are central for working with clients and other parties. Problem solving and decision making, along with creativity and innovation, support handling complex transactions and situations. Mathematics and computers and information technology provide a foundation for understanding financial elements and using digital tools. Writing and reading skills help with documentation and communication, while project management skills support organizing multiple clients and transactions. Together, this skill profile suggests that while formal academic requirements are relatively modest, real estate brokers benefit from developing strong communication, analytical, and organizational abilities to be effective and competitive in the field.
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