Real Estate Brokers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Real Estate Brokers fall under the Sales and Related category in the U.S. occupational classification. Real Estate Brokers earn a median salary of $72,280 per year, ranking in the top 31% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.3% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do real estate brokers earn?

The median annual wage for real estate brokers is $72,280. That puts real estate brokers at #253 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is real estate brokers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for real estate brokers is +3.3%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 111K positions in 2024 to 115K in 2034, a net change of 4K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do real estate brokers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working real estate brokers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers over property prices and settlement details and during the closing of sales.
2. 2.Generate lists of properties for sale, their locations, descriptions, and available financing options, using computers.
3. 3.Maintain knowledge of real estate law, local economies, fair housing laws, types of available mortgages, financing options, and government programs.
4. 4.Appraise property values, assessing income potential when relevant.
5. 5.Sell, for a fee, real estate owned by others.
6. 6.Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
7. 7.Manage or operate real estate offices, handling associated business details.
8. 8.Check work completed by loan officers, attorneys, or other professionals to ensure that it is performed properly.

Top skills for real estate brokers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become real estate broker?

Many real estate brokers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Sales Engineers
  $121,520 median
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
  $100,070 median
• Models
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• First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
  $84,130 median
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
  $78,140 median
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
  $66,780 median

Common questions parents ask about real estate brokers