Real Estate Agent in New York
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NY
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in New York
To become a licensed Real Estate Agent in New York, individuals must complete a 77-hour pre-licensing course and pass the New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam. The licensing body is the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, obtain sponsorship from a licensed New York State real estate broker, and undergo a background check. While New York does not have full reciprocity, it offers mutual recognition with several states, allowing some education requirements to be waived for eligible out-of-state licensees.
Real Estate Agent Requirements in New York
| Detail | New York |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 77-hour pre-licensing course |
| Exam | New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam ($15) |
| Application Fee | $55 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 22.5 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Must be sponsored by a licensed NYS real estate broker. A background check (fingerprinting) is required. The 77-hour pre-licensing course and 30-hour remedial course are only valid for 8 years to obtain a license; once applied, they do not expire for upgrade purposes. |
Source: New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
License Tiers
New York offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Salesperson | N/A |
| Associate Broker | N/A |
| Broker | N/A |
Real Estate Agent Salary in New York
The median real estate agent salary in New York is $97,440 per year, which is 73.0% above the national median of $56,320.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $35,810 |
| 25th | $52,000 |
| 50th (median) | $97,440 |
| 75th | $129,050 |
| 90th (experienced) | $168,590 |
New York employs approximately 10,040 real estate agents.
Real Estate Agent Job Outlook
AI Impact on Real Estate Agents
High AI Exposure (Score: 0.86/1.00)
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
Is Becoming a Real Estate Agent in New York Worth It?
Factors to consider: New York's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.