Real Estate Agent
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is a Real Estate Agent?
Real Estate Agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties — handling market analysis, property showings, negotiations, and closing paperwork. Every state requires a license, which involves completing pre-licensing coursework (40–180 hours depending on the state), passing a state exam, and working under a licensed broker. Income is almost entirely commission-based, so earnings vary dramatically by market and effort.
The Landscape
Nationally, real estate agents earn a median salary of $56,320, with a modest growth outlook of 3.1% and a moderate AI exposure of 0.86, suggesting ongoing adaptation will be key. Every state mandates licensing, establishing a baseline of professional standards across the board. The salary spectrum is broad, ranging from New York's impressive median of $97,440 to Iowa's more modest $36,420, reflecting diverse market conditions and economic landscapes.
Significant regional salary patterns emerge, with the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states generally offering higher compensation; New York leads the nation, and Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey all feature strong earning potential, likely driven by high property values and dense markets. Alaska stands out as a unique high-earner at $85,800, likely due to its extremely small number of employed agents (160) and specialized market dynamics, where fewer agents may command higher commissions per unique transaction. Conversely, the Midwest and some Southern states, like Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri, show lower median salaries, often correlating with a lower cost of living and less active or less competitive housing markets.
Beyond salary, state-specific requirements present varied entry points and ongoing commitments. While most states require agents to be 18, some, like Alaska and Nebraska, stipulate 19 years old. Many states, including New York and Colorado, utilize a multi-tiered licensing structure, suggesting a more formalized career progression, while others have simpler two-tier systems. A crucial difference is the variable need for post-licensing courses and ongoing education hours, with California requiring 45 CE hours every four years compared to West Virginia's 7 hours annually, impacting the long-term commitment required to maintain an active license.
Real Estate Agent by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $48,740 | -13.5% | 2-4 months |
| Alaska | Yes | $85,800 | +52.3% | 2-4 months |
| Arizona | Yes | $53,370 | -5.2% | 3-5 months |
| Arkansas | Yes | $38,450 | -31.7% | 2-4 months |
| California | Yes | $62,420 | +10.8% | 4-6 months |
| Colorado | Yes | $61,690 | +9.5% | 4-6 months |
| Connecticut | Yes | $45,670 | -18.9% | 2-4 months |
| Delaware | Yes | $48,450 | -14.0% | 2-3 months |
| District of Columbia | Yes | $43,720 | -22.4% | 2-4 months |
| Florida | Yes | $50,140 | -11.0% | 2-6 months |
| Georgia | Yes | $56,190 | -0.2% | 2-4 months |
| Hawaii | Yes | $47,020 | -16.5% | 2-6 months |
| Idaho | Yes | $37,090 | -34.1% | 3-5 months |
| Illinois | Yes | $51,210 | -9.1% | 3-5 months |
| Indiana | Yes | $50,990 | -9.5% | 3-5 months |
| Iowa | Yes | $36,420 | -35.3% | Varies (background check can take 8-10 weeks, application must be submitted within 6 months of passing exam and 210 days of background check completion) |
| Kansas | Yes | $44,290 | -21.4% | 2-4 months |
| Kentucky | Yes | $39,270 | -30.3% | 3-5 months |
| Louisiana | Yes | $39,840 | -29.3% | 3-5 months |
| Maine | Yes | $59,990 | +6.5% | 2-4 months |
| Maryland | Yes | $49,770 | -11.6% | 2 weeks - 4 months |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $85,170 | +51.2% | 2-12 months |
| Michigan | Yes | $55,600 | -1.3% | 2-3 months |
| Minnesota | Yes | $47,650 | -15.4% | 10 days to 5 months |
| Mississippi | Yes | $50,460 | -10.4% | 3-4 weeks to 4 months |
| Missouri | Yes | $38,910 | -30.9% | 3-5 months |
| Montana | Yes | $56,670 | +0.6% | 3-4 months |
| Nebraska | Yes | $48,550 | -13.8% | Approximately 4-6 months (including background check processing) |
| Nevada | Yes | $49,990 | -11.2% | Varies (e.g., 4-6 months for coursework, 1 year to apply after exam) |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $55,620 | -1.2% | 2-6 months |
| New Jersey | Yes | $66,680 | +18.4% | 3-5 months |
| New Mexico | Yes | $79,790 | +41.7% | Varies (exam must be passed within 90 days of first attempt, application within 6 months of passing exam) |
| New York | Yes | $97,440 | +73.0% | 2-4 weeks (application processing) + course time |
| North Carolina | Yes | $47,840 | -15.1% | 3-5 months |
| North Dakota | Yes | $61,830 | +9.8% | 3-6 months |
| Ohio | Yes | $43,860 | -22.1% | 4-6 months |
| Oklahoma | Yes | — | — | 3-5 months |
| Oregon | Yes | $48,030 | -14.7% | 4-6 months |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | $53,590 | -4.8% | 2-4 months |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $55,460 | -1.5% | 2-3 months |
| South Carolina | Yes | $49,990 | -11.2% | 3-16 weeks |
| South Dakota | Yes | $54,410 | -3.4% | Varies (application within 60 days of exam) |
| Tennessee | Yes | — | — | 3-5 months |
| Texas | Yes | $50,150 | -11.0% | 4-6 months |
| Utah | Yes | $55,380 | -1.7% | 2-3 months |
| Vermont | Yes | $82,630 | +46.7% | 2-3 months |
| Virginia | Yes | $61,790 | +9.7% | 1.5 weeks - 4 months |
| Washington | Yes | $76,980 | +36.7% | 4-8 weeks for education, plus exam and application processing |
| West Virginia | Yes | $57,550 | +2.2% | 3-5 months |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $49,480 | -12.1% | 3-4 months |
| Wyoming | Yes | $43,040 | -23.6% | 2-4 months |
Highest-Paying States for Real Estate Agents
| # | State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $97,440 | 10,040 |
| 2 | Alaska | $85,800 | 160 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $85,170 | — |
| 4 | Vermont | $82,630 | 90 |
| 5 | New Mexico | $79,790 | 810 |
| 6 | Washington | $76,980 | 5,470 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $66,680 | 950 |
| 8 | California | $62,420 | 22,370 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $61,830 | 430 |
| 10 | Virginia | $61,790 | 4,950 |