Real estate broker salary
BLS occupation: Real Estate Brokers · Sales · data for May 2025
Median salary $73,220 a year, US
Median hourly pay $35.20 an hour
Middle half earn $46,480–$103,360 25th to 75th percentile
Real estate brokers employed 46,100 +0.8% projected by 2035
How much does a real estate broker make?
- The median real estate broker salary in the US is $73,220 a year ($35.20 an hour): half of the 46,100 real estate brokers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $83,950.
- The middle half earn between $46,480 and $103,360. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $37,110 and the top 10% more than $143,300.
- That is 44% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- New Jersey pays real estate brokers the most (median $111,390), followed by Connecticut ($105,800) and Utah ($92,830). Minnesota pays the least ($39,850).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in New Jersey, where the median is worth $102,376 in typical US prices, then Connecticut and Utah.
- In 42 of the 86 metro areas with data, the median real estate broker salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of real estate brokers to grow 0.8% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 7,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what real estate brokers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Real estate broker salary range
Half of real estate brokers earn between $46,480 and $103,360 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $37,110
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $46,480
Median Yearly pay: $73,220
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $103,360
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $143,300
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $37,110 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $46,480 |
| Median | $73,220 |
| Top 25% earn over | $103,360 |
| Top 10% earn over | $143,300 |
Real estate broker salary by state
New Jersey pays real estate brokers the most; Minnesota the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($73,220), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $111,390 median |
| Connecticut | $105,800 median |
| Utah | $92,830 median |
| Washington | $82,790 median |
| Alabama | $82,630 median |
| Michigan | $82,510 median |
| Maryland | $81,550 median |
| California | $80,450 median |
| New Mexico | $80,340 median |
| Colorado | $79,970 median |
| Virginia | $77,270 median |
| Vermont | $76,920 median |
| Indiana | $75,000 median |
| Hawaii | $74,310 median |
| Arizona | $74,260 median |
| Arkansas | $73,800 median |
| North Dakota | $73,300 median |
| Kansas | $69,990 median |
| Delaware | $68,690 median |
| Florida | $66,010 median |
| Alaska | $65,820 median |
| Ohio | $64,510 median |
| Texas | $63,390 median |
| Montana | $63,240 median |
| Oregon | $63,070 median |
| Illinois | $62,540 median |
| Missouri | $62,280 median |
| Tennessee | $60,150 median |
| West Virginia | $58,960 median |
| Idaho | $57,660 median |
| Maine | $55,280 median |
| North Carolina | $52,830 median |
| New Hampshire | $51,490 median |
| Iowa | $50,140 median |
| Mississippi | $41,690 median |
| Minnesota | $39,850 median |
Where real estate broker pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Real estate brokers' pay goes furthest in New Jersey once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $102,376 |
| Connecticut | $102,114 |
| Utah | $93,897 |
| Alabama | $93,028 |
| New Mexico | $87,125 |
| Michigan | $85,754 |
| Arkansas | $84,889 |
| North Dakota | $82,398 |
| Indiana | $80,361 |
| Vermont | $78,523 |
Real estate broker pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $111,390 | $53.55 | $47,750 | $111,390 | 1,290 | $102,376 |
| Connecticut | $105,800 | $50.87 | $73,290 | $109,260 | – | $102,114 |
| Utah | $92,830 | $44.63 | $47,280 | $148,070 | – | $93,897 |
| Washington | $82,790 | $39.80 | $77,830 | $103,140 | – | $77,364 |
| Alabama | $82,630 | $39.73 | $58,120 | $82,630 | 460 | $93,028 |
| Michigan | $82,510 | $39.67 | $43,990 | $118,680 | 1,150 | $85,754 |
| Maryland | $81,550 | $39.21 | $56,320 | $164,860 | 430 | $77,697 |
| California | $80,450 | $38.68 | $37,120 | $145,660 | 8,430 | $72,661 |
| New Mexico | $80,340 | $38.63 | $61,360 | $154,620 | – | $87,125 |
| Colorado | $79,970 | $38.45 | $44,320 | $135,200 | 3,280 | $77,602 |
| Virginia | $77,270 | $37.15 | $45,250 | $189,360 | 1,500 | $76,426 |
| Vermont | $76,920 | $36.98 | $45,170 | $105,770 | 80 | $78,523 |
| Indiana | $75,000 | $36.06 | $30,190 | $211,420 | 740 | $80,361 |
| Hawaii | $74,310 | $35.73 | $35,560 | $133,870 | 160 | $67,585 |
| Arizona | $74,260 | $35.70 | $52,040 | $123,770 | 3,790 | $73,761 |
| Arkansas | $73,800 | $35.48 | $29,280 | $124,990 | 120 | $84,889 |
| North Dakota | $73,300 | $35.24 | $72,630 | $78,730 | 80 | $82,398 |
| Kansas | $69,990 | $33.65 | $18,550 | $125,210 | 290 | $77,708 |
| Delaware | $68,690 | $33.02 | $58,370 | $103,690 | 100 | $68,822 |
| Florida | $66,010 | $31.74 | $38,320 | $162,500 | 3,640 | $63,831 |
| Alaska | $65,820 | $31.64 | $37,490 | $151,190 | 100 | $64,303 |
| Ohio | $64,510 | $31.01 | $42,390 | $125,840 | – | $69,535 |
| Texas | $63,390 | $30.48 | $35,970 | $111,090 | 2,040 | $65,312 |
| Montana | $63,240 | $30.40 | $24,730 | $123,780 | 400 | $66,818 |
| Oregon | $63,070 | $30.32 | $44,980 | $96,980 | 1,670 | $61,019 |
| Illinois | $62,540 | $30.07 | $35,450 | $137,380 | 990 | $62,566 |
| Missouri | $62,280 | $29.94 | $31,590 | $111,070 | 1,980 | $68,577 |
| Tennessee | $60,150 | $28.92 | $33,560 | $108,370 | 540 | $65,473 |
| West Virginia | $58,960 | $28.35 | $36,040 | $171,600 | 140 | $65,879 |
| Idaho | $57,660 | $27.72 | $38,930 | $123,690 | 380 | $60,381 |
| Maine | $55,280 | $26.58 | $35,190 | $136,090 | – | $56,960 |
| North Carolina | $52,830 | $25.40 | $17,990 | $123,160 | 1,560 | $56,008 |
| New Hampshire | $51,490 | $24.75 | $30,920 | $202,900 | 120 | $49,431 |
| Iowa | $50,140 | $24.11 | $19,880 | $152,170 | – | $57,132 |
| Mississippi | $41,690 | $20.04 | $30,470 | $100,910 | 60 | $47,945 |
| Minnesota | $39,850 | $19.16 | $36,190 | $146,130 | – | $40,407 |
BLS does not publish pay for real estate brokers in 15 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Real estate broker salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes real estate broker pay: 86 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Milwaukee, WI $168,320
- Durham, NC $124,210
- Boise, ID $104,780
- Myrtle Beach, SC $103,070
- Fort Collins, CO $99,020
- San Antonio, TX $98,950
- Charlotte, NC $95,320
- Orlando, FL $94,990
- Provo, UT $92,830
- Los Angeles, CA $91,770
Where the pay goes furthest
- Milwaukee, WI $173,639
- Durham, NC $127,301
- Myrtle Beach, SC $110,068
- Boise, ID $106,493
- San Antonio, TX $104,470
- Charlotte, NC $97,917
- Fort Collins, CO $97,916
- Provo, UT $94,501
- Orlando, FL $93,662
- Little Rock, AR $93,639
All 86 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | $168,320 | 160 | $173,639 | 11% |
| Durham, NC | $124,210 | – | $127,301 | 16% |
| Boise, ID | $104,780 | – | $106,493 | 22% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $103,070 | – | $110,068 | 20% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $99,020 | – | $97,916 | 24% |
| San Antonio, TX | $98,950 | – | $104,470 | 17% |
| Charlotte, NC | $95,320 | 150 | $97,917 | 22% |
| Orlando, FL | $94,990 | – | $93,662 | 24% |
| Provo, UT | $92,830 | – | $94,501 | 23% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $91,770 | – | $80,808 | 38% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $89,150 | 50 | $88,367 | 25% |
| Medford, OR | $88,760 | – | $87,506 | 25% |
| Washington, DC | $87,670 | – | $80,517 | 33% |
| Dayton, OH | $86,290 | – | $93,091 | 18% |
| Detroit, MI | $85,600 | 690 | $85,346 | 21% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $84,590 | – | $89,143 | 24% |
| Eugene, OR | $83,860 | – | $82,565 | 25% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $83,690 | – | $82,970 | 24% |
| Little Rock, AR | $83,680 | 40 | $93,639 | 18% |
| Seattle, WA | $82,790 | – | $74,496 | 33% |
| Lansing, MI | $82,490 | 80 | $86,840 | 19% |
| Corvallis, OR | $82,280 | 30 | $79,102 | 26% |
| Baltimore, MD | $81,550 | 150 | $78,048 | 29% |
| San Diego, CA | $80,450 | – | $71,903 | 44% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $80,340 | – | $84,085 | 22% |
| Anchorage, AK | $79,080 | – | $75,014 | 29% |
| Raleigh, NC | $78,840 | – | $80,320 | 25% |
| Cleveland, OH | $78,330 | – | $83,398 | 22% |
| Providence, RI | $78,050 | – | $76,690 | 33% |
| Bozeman, MT | $77,350 | – | $75,456 | 34% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $77,200 | – | $80,672 | 24% |
| Columbus, IN | $75,920 | 30 | $81,632 | 22% |
| Oxnard, CA | $75,330 | – | $68,151 | 47% |
| Richmond, VA | $75,300 | – | $76,948 | 27% |
| Bend, OR | $74,950 | 240 | $72,341 | 36% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $74,260 | – | $71,877 | 28% |
| Evansville, IN | $72,980 | 100 | $79,735 | 18% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $72,800 | – | $72,564 | 35% |
| Honolulu, HI | $72,590 | 110 | $65,419 | 50% |
| Miami, FL | $71,460 | 970 | $62,599 | 45% |
| Austin, TX | $71,300 | – | $72,706 | 27% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $70,800 | 390 | $72,288 | 32% |
| Kansas City, MO | $70,770 | 750 | $76,473 | 26% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $70,080 | – | $69,469 | 33% |
| Wichita, KS | $69,990 | 80 | $78,688 | 21% |
| Chicago, IL | $67,320 | 800 | $64,984 | 39% |
| Dallas, TX | $67,220 | – | $65,205 | 30% |
| Madison, WI | $66,680 | – | $68,539 | 32% |
| Crestview, FL | $65,960 | 90 | $67,978 | 36% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $65,930 | – | $72,171 | 29% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $64,680 | – | $64,533 | 43% |
| Houston, TX | $64,490 | – | $65,386 | 30% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $64,120 | – | $67,729 | 27% |
| Portland, ME | $63,680 | – | $62,518 | 43% |
| St. Louis, MO | $63,210 | 650 | $66,475 | 27% |
| Portland, OR | $63,070 | 960 | $59,827 | 34% |
| Nashville, TN | $62,350 | 170 | $64,720 | 35% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $61,890 | – | $59,043 | 34% |
| Columbus, OH | $61,880 | – | $64,817 | 30% |
| Denver, CO | $61,850 | – | $58,469 | 37% |
| Pensacola, FL | $59,160 | – | $60,542 | 35% |
| Riverside, CA | $58,760 | 760 | $55,204 | 52% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $58,760 | 30 | $68,023 | 21% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $58,340 | – | $61,060 | 33% |
| Knoxville, TN | $58,280 | 70 | $62,958 | 36% |
| Wilmington, NC | $57,850 | 40 | $59,997 | 36% |
| Joplin, MO | $57,020 | 60 | $66,520 | 26% |
| Tucson, AZ | $56,050 | – | $57,846 | 32% |
| Columbia, MO | $55,230 | – | $61,752 | 32% |
| Greenville, SC | $54,970 | – | $58,943 | 34% |
| El Paso, TX | $54,220 | 200 | $60,303 | 34% |
| Memphis, TN | $52,570 | 80 | $57,030 | 32% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $51,830 | 50 | $58,914 | 23% |
| Charleston, WV | $50,310 | 40 | $56,708 | 29% |
| Lakeland, FL | $47,880 | – | $49,289 | 45% |
| Killeen, TX | $47,870 | – | $52,528 | 33% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $47,690 | – | $52,750 | 35% |
| Salem, OR | $47,110 | – | $45,451 | 42% |
| Sebring, FL | $46,280 | – | $50,049 | 39% |
| Reading, PA | $45,820 | 30 | $47,208 | 41% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $45,590 | 80 | $46,117 | 54% |
| Kingsport, TN | $45,250 | 40 | $52,344 | 35% |
| Springfield, MO | $42,260 | – | $47,706 | 36% |
| Ames, IA | $41,440 | – | $46,651 | 34% |
| Davenport, IA | $41,220 | 60 | $46,274 | 29% |
| Lewiston, ME | $40,630 | 40 | $42,888 | 47% |
What the median real estate broker salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $73,220 |
| Month | $6,102 |
| Every two weeks | $2,816 |
| Week | $1,408 |
| Hour | $35.20 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a real estate broker: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | Less than 5 years |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +0.8% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 7,800 |
| Self-employed | 54.9% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate agent | $52,830 | High school diploma |
| Financial services sales agent | $78,660 | Bachelor's degree |
| Insurance agent | $62,280 | High school diploma |
| Sales representative | $72,080 | High school diploma |
| Retail sales associate | $35,410 | No formal education |
Questions about real estate broker pay
How much does a real estate broker make an hour?
The median is $35.20 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $17.84 and the top 10% over $68.89.
How much does a real estate broker make a month?
About $6,102 a month before taxes at the median salary of $73,220, or $2,816 every two weeks.
What state pays real estate brokers the most?
New Jersey, with a median of $111,390. Connecticut ($105,800), Utah ($92,830), Washington ($82,790) and Alabama ($82,630) follow.
Where do real estate brokers make the most after cost of living?
New Jersey: its median of $111,390 is worth $102,376 at typical US prices. Connecticut, Utah and Alabama come next.
How much do entry-level real estate brokers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of real estate brokers earn under $37,110 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $46,480, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a real estate broker?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related job: less than 5 years. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 41-9021 (Real Estate Brokers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.