Understanding real estate agent statistics is essential for anyone involved in the housing market, whether you're a home buyer looking to work with an agent, a seller hoping to sell your home quickly, or someone considering a career in real estate. These real estate statistics provide insights into the current state of the industry, from how many agents work in each state to what the typical agent or broker earns.
The real estate market has undergone significant changes in recent years. The National Association of REALTORS® tracks comprehensive data on its members, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides employment figures for real estate sales agents and brokers nationwide. Together, these sources paint a detailed picture of an industry that helps home buyers and sellers navigate one of life's biggest financial decisions.
In this comprehensive guide, we examine over 100 verified statistics covering agent demographics, income levels, success rates, transactions, and state-by-state breakdowns. Whether you're researching the housing market, evaluating real estate businesses, or understanding what it takes to sell a home in today's environment, these numbers tell the story of an evolving profession.
How Many Real Estate Agents Are There?
The number of real estate professionals in the United States varies significantly depending on how you count them. There are three main ways to measure the agent population: NAR membership, total licensed agents, and BLS employment figures.
Key Agent Count Statistics
- 1. 1,489,932 REALTORS are members of the National Association of REALTORS as of late 2025, down from a peak of nearly 1.6 million in 2022.
- 2. Over 3 million active real estate licenses exist across the United States, according to the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO).
- 3. NAR membership was 1,453,690 as of May 31, 2025, representing a continued decline from pandemic highs.
- 4. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 532,200 employed real estate brokers and sales agents in 2024.
- 5. NAR membership declined by 2.1% (32,221 members) from February 2024 to February 2025.
- 6. There are approximately 111,300 real estate brokers and 420,900 sales agents according to BLS 2024 data.
The discrepancy between 3 million licensed agents and 1.5 million NAR members exists because not all licensed agents are REALTORS (NAR members), and many maintain licenses without actively practicing. The BLS figure of 532,200 represents those who consider real estate their primary employment.
Why the Numbers Differ: Texas, for example, shows 279,831 licenses in TREC's database versus only 148,424 NAR members. Most active agents join NAR because local associations typically control MLS access, making membership practically necessary for full-time agents.
Real Estate Agent Demographics
The NAR 2025 Member Profile, based on survey responses from 4,947 members collected in March 2025, provides the most comprehensive look at who real estate agents are today.
Age Distribution
Age Statistics
- 7. The median age of REALTORS is 57, up from 55 in 2023.
- 8. 29% of REALTORS are 65 or older, an increase of 7 percentage points year over year.
- 9. Agents with 2 years or less experience make up only 15% of the membership (10% with 1 year or less, 5% with 2 years).
- 10. Only 28% of NAR members have 5 years or less experience, indicating fewer new agents are entering or staying in the field.
Gender Distribution
Gender Statistics
- 11. 63% of NAR members are female, making real estate one of the more female-dominated sales professions.
- 12. 37% of NAR members are male.
Race and Ethnicity
Racial and Ethnic Breakdown
- 13. 80% of NAR members are White.
- 14. 9% are Hispanic or Latino.
- 15. 6% are Black or African American.
- 16. The remaining 5% identify as Asian, multiracial, or other ethnicities.
Education
Education Statistics
- 17. A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education requirement.
- 18. Many agents hold bachelor's degrees, particularly in business, finance, or related fields.
- 19. All states require completion of prelicensing courses (hours vary by state) and passing a licensing exam.
- 20. Brokers typically need 2+ years of experience as a licensed agent plus additional education.
Real Estate Agent Income and Earnings
Real estate agent income varies dramatically based on experience, location, market conditions, and individual effort. The data below comes from both NAR member surveys and Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data.
Overall Income Statistics
Median Income Data
- 21. The median gross income for REALTORS was $58,100 in 2024, up from $55,800 in 2023 (NAR).
- 22. After taxes and business expenses, the median net income was $36,600.
- 23. BLS reports the 2024 median annual wage at $58,960 for all brokers and agents combined.
- 24. The median wage for real estate brokers was $72,280 in May 2024 (BLS).
- 25. The median wage for sales agents was $56,320 in May 2024 (BLS).
Income by Experience Level
Experience-Based Income (NAR 2025)
- 26. Agents with 2 years or less experience earned a median of $8,100 in 2024.
- 27. Agents with 3 to 5 years experience earned approximately $30,000 to $40,000.
- 28. Agents with 6 to 15 years experience earned significantly more, reflecting established client bases.
- 29. Agents with 16+ years earned a median of $78,900 gross and $51,900 net after taxes.
Top and Bottom Earners
Income Distribution (BLS)
- 30. The lowest 10% of brokers earned less than $36,920 annually.
- 31. The highest 10% of brokers earned more than $166,730 annually.
- 32. The lowest 10% of sales agents earned less than $31,940 annually.
- 33. The highest 10% of sales agents earned more than $125,140 annually.
Highest Paying States
Top Paying States for Sales Agents (BLS)
- 34. New York: $112,080 mean annual wage.
- 35. Vermont: $100,750 mean annual wage.
- 36. Connecticut: $84,810 mean annual wage.
- 37. New Jersey: $82,490 mean annual wage.
- 38. Alaska: $81,720 mean annual wage.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top Metro Areas by Pay (BLS)
- 39. Midland, TX: $118,560 mean annual wage.
- 40. Napa, CA: $114,680 mean annual wage.
- 41. New York-Newark-Jersey City: $111,750 mean annual wage.
- 42. Boston-Cambridge-Nashua: $108,620 mean annual wage.
- 43. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA: $103,770 mean annual wage.
Success and Failure Rates
The real estate industry has a reputation for high turnover, particularly among new agents. While the often-cited "87% fail" statistic lacks verified sourcing, the underlying data does show significant challenges for newcomers.
Industry Survival Statistics
- 44. The widely cited claim that "87% of agents fail within five years" has no verified original source, though the struggles it implies are real.
- 45. Reports indicate 71% of agents did not close a single transaction in 2024.
- 46. 74% of existing NAR members say they are "very certain" they will remain active for at least two more years.
- 47. The typical NAR member has 12 years of experience, up from 10 years in 2024, suggesting newer agents are leaving while veterans stay.
Transaction Volume
Transactions by Experience (NAR 2025)
- 48. The typical agent handled 10 transactions in 2024, unchanged from 2023.
- 49. The median sales volume was $2.5 million, also unchanged year over year.
- 50. Agents with 2 years or less experience: 3 transactions, $500,000 volume.
- 51. Agents with 3 to 5 years experience: 8 transactions, $1.6 million volume.
- 52. Agents with 6 to 15 years experience: 11 transactions, $3.2 million volume.
- 53. Agents with 16+ years experience: 10 transactions, $2.6 million volume.
Referrals and Repeat Business
Business Sources by Experience
- 54. New agents (2 years or less) received 0% of business from repeat clients.
- 55. New agents received 0% of business from referrals in 2024.
- 56. Agents with 16+ years got 41% from repeat business and 28% from referrals.
- 57. 75% of buyers would definitely use their agent again or recommend them.
- 58. 73% of sellers would definitely use their agent again or recommend them.
Why New Agents Struggle: Industry experts note that most brokerages provide administrative training rather than sales training. Without structured coaching on prospecting, lead generation, and negotiation, many new agents burn out before building a sustainable book of business.
The reality is that helping someone sell their home or find the perfect property requires skills that take time to develop. Successful agents build relationships with home buyers and sellers through years of transactions. Every home sale, every listing, and every negotiation adds to an agent's expertise. Those who stick with the profession eventually benefit from repeat business and referrals, while those who leave often cite insufficient income in their early years.
Experience and Tenure
Experience Distribution (NAR 2025)
- 59. The typical NAR member has 12 years of experience, up from 10 years in 2024.
- 60. 10% have 1 year or less experience.
- 61. 5% have 2 years of experience.
- 62. 5% have 3 years of experience.
- 63. 4% have 4 years of experience.
- 64. 4% have 5 years of experience.
- 65. The remaining 72% have 6+ years of experience.
Firm Tenure
Brokerage Loyalty Statistics
- 66. The median REALTOR has been with their current firm for 6 years.
- 67. 28% have been with their firm 12 or more years.
- 68. 71% of REALTORS said real estate was their only occupation (down from 72% in 2023).
Working Hours and Lifestyle
Work Schedule Statistics
- 69. The median REALTOR works 35 hours per week.
- 70. Most brokers and agents work full time, with some exceeding 40 hours weekly.
- 71. Work schedules often include evenings and weekends to accommodate clients.
- 72. 54% of brokers are self-employed.
- 73. 54% of sales agents are self-employed.
- 74. 87% of NAR members are independent contractors at their firms.
Brokerage and Employment
Firm Affiliation Statistics
- 75. 55% of NAR members work with independent companies.
- 76. 38% work with franchised companies.
- 77. 40% of brokers work in the real estate and rental and leasing sector.
- 78. 37% of sales agents work in the real estate and rental and leasing sector.
- 79. 3% of sales agents work in construction.
Benefits Coverage
Benefits Provided by Firms
- 80. Nearly half of REALTORS receive liability insurance from their firm.
- 81. Only 4% receive health insurance from their brokerage.
- 82. Only 4% receive paid vacation or sick days.
- 83. Only 4% receive pension or 401(k) benefits.
- 84. 3% receive dental or vision insurance.
- 85. 2% receive life or disability insurance.
- 86. Most agents rely on spouses or pay out-of-pocket for benefits.
Real Estate Agents by State
Agent distribution varies dramatically by state, with Florida and California dominating in raw numbers while smaller states have higher agent-to-population ratios in resort and retirement areas.
Top 10 States by Agent Count
- 87. Florida: 220,309 agents (highest in the nation).
- 88. California: 194,964 agents.
- 89. Texas: 147,549 agents.
- 90. New York: 61,323 agents.
- 91. New Jersey: 58,472 agents.
- 92. Arizona: 52,848 agents.
- 93. North Carolina: 52,571 agents.
- 94. Illinois: 48,812 agents.
- 95. Georgia: 45,125 agents.
- 96. Pennsylvania: 38,174 agents.
Complete State-by-State Data
| State | NAR Members | Population | Residents per Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 220,309 | 22,610,726 | 103 |
| California | 194,964 | 38,965,193 | 200 |
| Texas | 147,549 | 30,503,301 | 207 |
| New York | 61,323 | 19,571,216 | 319 |
| New Jersey | 58,472 | 9,290,841 | 159 |
| Arizona | 52,848 | 7,431,344 | 141 |
| North Carolina | 52,571 | 10,835,491 | 206 |
| Illinois | 48,812 | 12,549,689 | 257 |
| Georgia | 45,125 | 11,029,227 | 244 |
| Pennsylvania | 38,174 | 12,961,683 | 340 |
| Ohio | 35,755 | 11,785,935 | 330 |
| Tennessee | 34,714 | 7,126,489 | 205 |
| Michigan | 34,684 | 10,037,261 | 289 |
| Virginia | 34,228 | 8,683,619 | 254 |
| Colorado | 26,365 | 5,877,610 | 223 |
| Missouri | 25,399 | 6,196,156 | 244 |
| Maryland | 25,355 | 6,180,253 | 244 |
| South Carolina | 25,145 | 5,373,555 | 214 |
| Massachusetts | 24,637 | 7,001,399 | 284 |
| Minnesota | 21,473 | 5,737,915 | 267 |
| Indiana | 20,548 | 6,862,199 | 334 |
| Washington | 20,375 | 7,812,880 | 384 |
| Utah | 19,281 | 3,417,734 | 177 |
| Nevada | 18,902 | 3,194,176 | 169 |
| Connecticut | 18,847 | 3,617,176 | 192 |
| Alabama | 18,162 | 5,108,468 | 281 |
| Oregon | 17,524 | 4,233,358 | 242 |
| Wisconsin | 16,170 | 5,910,955 | 366 |
| Louisiana | 15,753 | 4,590,241 | 291 |
| Oklahoma | 13,407 | 4,053,824 | 302 |
| Kentucky | 12,755 | 4,526,154 | 355 |
| Idaho | 11,292 | 1,964,726 | 174 |
| Arkansas | 11,003 | 3,067,732 | 279 |
| Hawaii | 10,089 | 1,440,196 | 143 |
| Kansas | 10,035 | 2,940,865 | 293 |
| Iowa | 7,940 | 3,207,004 | 404 |
| Mississippi | 7,462 | 2,939,690 | 394 |
| New Mexico | 7,345 | 2,114,371 | 288 |
| New Hampshire | 6,414 | 1,402,054 | 219 |
| Montana | 5,625 | 1,132,812 | 201 |
| Maine | 5,607 | 1,395,722 | 249 |
| Nebraska | 5,394 | 1,978,379 | 367 |
| Rhode Island | 5,263 | 1,095,962 | 208 |
| Delaware | 4,220 | 1,031,890 | 244 |
| West Virginia | 3,346 | 1,770,071 | 529 |
| District of Columbia | 2,584 | 678,972 | 263 |
| Wyoming | 2,550 | 584,057 | 229 |
| South Dakota | 2,216 | 919,318 | 415 |
| North Dakota | 2,008 | 783,926 | 390 |
| Alaska | 1,882 | 733,406 | 390 |
| Vermont | 1,749 | 647,464 | 370 |
| Total | 1,513,650 | - | - |
Highest Employment Metro Areas
Top Metro Areas by Agent Employment (BLS)
- 97. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL: 10,790 sales agents.
- 98. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX: 8,400 sales agents.
- 99. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX: 7,680 sales agents.
- 100. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: 6,800 sales agents.
- 101. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ: 6,310 sales agents.
The Real Estate Market in Context
The real estate market significantly impacts agent employment and earnings. When home prices rise and more homes are sold, agents benefit from higher sales prices and more transaction volume. Conversely, when the housing market slows, as it has with elevated mortgage rates, agents face tougher conditions.
While this article focuses primarily on residential real estate sales agents, it's worth noting that commercial real estate represents a separate sector with its own specialists. Commercial agents handle office buildings, retail spaces, industrial properties, and multifamily developments. These agents typically work on larger, more complex transactions with different dynamics than residential home sales.
For the typical real estate agent or broker focused on helping people buy and sell homes, success depends on understanding local market conditions, building relationships with buyers and sellers, and maintaining a strong listing inventory. Agents who consistently secure listings and help buyers find homes that match their needs tend to thrive regardless of broader market conditions.
Job Outlook and Industry Trends
Future Projections (BLS)
- 102. Employment is projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations.
- 103. An estimated 16,500 new jobs will be added over the decade.
- 104. About 46,300 openings are projected annually, mostly to replace workers who leave.
- 105. 25% of agents cited housing affordability as the biggest hurdle for potential homebuyers in 2024.
Market Challenges
Current Industry Headwinds
- 106. Housing affordability has overtaken inventory as the top buyer concern.
- 107. The NAR settlement has changed how buyer agent compensation works.
- 108. High mortgage rates (above 7% in 2024) continue to slow transaction volume.
- 109. NAR membership has declined from 2022 highs, shedding thousands of agents.
- 110. Fewer new agents are entering and staying in the profession compared to pandemic years.
Data Sources
The statistics in this article come from the following authoritative sources:
- National Association of REALTORS (NAR): 2025 Member Profile, membership statistics, and press releases. nar.realtor
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook for Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents. bls.gov
- Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO): National licensing data.
- State real estate commissions: Individual state licensing databases.
- U.S. Census Bureau: State population estimates.
Cite This Page
Real Estate Agent Statistics 2026. Real Estate Agents Near Me. https://realestateagentnearme.com/real-estate-agent-statistics/. Published February 3, 2026.
Key Takeaways: Real Estate Agent Market Statistics
These real estate agent statistics reveal several important market trends for anyone buying and selling property in today's environment. Understanding these numbers helps both consumers and industry professionals make informed decisions.
For home buyers and sellers, the data shows that experience matters significantly when choosing an agent. Home buyer statistics indicate that 89% of recent purchasers used a real estate agent or broker, and 75% would definitely recommend their agent. Home seller statistics show similar satisfaction rates. The median REALTOR® has 12 years of experience, which translates to hundreds of real estate transactions and deep knowledge of local market statistics.
The affordability statistics are also telling. With housing costs elevated and mortgage rates above 7%, agents report that affordability has become the top concern for buyers. This shift affects how agents structure deals and which properties get shown. A home sold in today's market requires more careful pricing and negotiation than during the pandemic boom years.
For those considering a career in real estate, the statistics paint a challenging but potentially rewarding picture. Yes, many new agents struggle, and the real estate brokerage model offers few traditional benefits. However, experienced agents who build strong referral networks can earn well above the median income while enjoying scheduling flexibility.
Whether you're researching agents in your area or evaluating the profession itself, these statistics provide the foundation for understanding how the real estate industry operates today and where it's heading tomorrow.
According to NAR, the vast majority of sellers who used a real estate agent were satisfied with their experience. In today's real estate environment, having a buyer's agent on your side remains valuable, as does working with an experienced listing agent when selling. While some homeowners choose to sell without representation (FSBO), the typical FSBO home sells for significantly less than agent-assisted sales of existing homes. For most buyers and sellers, working with a professional who handles the sales contract negotiations and closing process remains the preferred approach, especially when major financial decisions involving median household income levels are at stake.
Many successful agents build their business through referrals from friends or family, demonstrating the importance of reputation and relationship-building in this people-centric industry.