Salary Outlook
According to the BLS, in 2011, real estate agents earned a median average salary of $39,070. The best-paid earned about $92,860, while the lowest-paid earned approximately $20,200. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of Santa Barbara, Calif., Chicago, and Syracuse, N.Y.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $47,980.00 |
| 2004 | $43,840.00 |
| 2006 | $52,030.00 |
| 2008 | $52,230.00 |
| 2010 | $52,490.00 |
Average Real Estate Agent Pay vs. All Business Jobs
Real estate sales agents make an average salary of about $39,070. They earn less than the average sales representative, but make more than the average salary for customer service representatives, cashiers, and receptionists.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent | $47,450.00 |
| Real Estate Agent | $39,070.00 |
| Customer Service Representative | $30,610.00 |
| Receptionist | $25,240.00 |
| Cashier | $18,820.00 |
See Complete List of Best Business Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Real Estate Agents
The highest paid in the real estate agent profession work in the metropolitan areas of Santa Barbara, CA, Chicago, IL, and Syracuse, NY. The Lake County, IL area also pays well, as does the city of Nassau, NY.
Santa Barbara, CA
Average Salary: $85,130 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a real estate agent working in Santa Barbara, CA is $85,130, which is $46,060 more than the average pay in the profession.
Chicago, IL
Average Salary: $84,440 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a real estate agent working in Chicago, IL is $84,440, which is $45,370 more than the average pay in the profession.
Syracuse, NY
Average Salary: $83,280 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a real estate agent working in Syracuse, NY is $83,280, which is $44,210 more than the average pay in the profession.
Lake County, IL
Average Salary: $83,190 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a real estate agent working in Lake County, IL is $83,190, which is $44,120 more than the average pay in the profession.
Nassau, NY
Average Salary: $82,130 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a real estate agent working in Nassau, NY is $82,130, which is $43,060 more than the average pay in the profession.
