NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.

Income Data From NAR

The median gross income of REALTORS®—income earned from real estate activities—was $49,700 in 2019, an increase from $41,800 in 2018. Those who function as sales agents typically reported a median income of $35,000, an increase from $31,900 reported in 2018. Income was typically commensurate with experience. REALTORS® with 16 years or more experience had a median gross income of $86,500—up from $71,000 in 2018—compared to REALTORS® with two years or less experience that had a median gross income of $8,900—an slight decrease from $9,300 in 2018.

Source: The 2020 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile (Item # E186-12-20) can be ordered by calling 800-874-6500 #1 or online. The report is $14.95 to NAR members and costs $149.95 for non-members.

From the NAR Archives

In its first all-member survey conducted in 1949, NAR found that the typical licensed broker earned an annual income of $10,000.

Articles

How to Make $100k Your First Year in Real Estate (Kyle Handy, Oct. 29, 2020)

States Where Real Estate Pros Earn the Most (REALTOR® Magazine, Jul. 28, 2020)

3 Tips to Double Your Income (RISMedia, Jul. 26, 2020)

What Do Real Estate Agents Make in NYC? (Nest Apple, Apr. 5, 2020)

How Much Do Real Estate Agents Earn? (the balance, Mar. 17, 2020)

How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make? (The CE Shop, Mar. 11, 2020)

Websites & Other Resources

Updated each year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Real Estate Brokers & Agents section of the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes data on average earnings and wages of real estate licensees.

Salary.com's Salary Wizard features information on median expected annual income for real estate licensees, using survey data from human resources departments around the country.

Compiled yearly, A.CRE publishes commercial real estate salary and bonus information by property types and roles.

eBooks & Oth​er Resources

eBooks.realtor.org

The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:

7 Money Rules for Life: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future (Kindle, eBook)

Bank On Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Growing and Protecting Your Financial Future (Audiobook)

Big Money Energy (Audiobook)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Money (Audiobook)

How to Become a Power Agent in Real Estate: A Top Industry Trainer Explains How to Double Your Income in 12 Months (Kindle, eBook)

Make Money, Not Excuses: Wake Up, Take Charge, and Overcome Your Financial Fears Forever (Kindle, eBook)

Millionaire Success Habits (eBook)

The Richest Man in Babylon (eBook)

The Road to Wealth: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Money (eBook)

Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny (Audiobook)

The Half Millionaire Real Estate Agent (Kindle, eBook)

How to Become a Million Dollar Real Estate Agent in Your First Year (Kindle, eBook)

How to Make $100,000+ Your First Year as a Real Estate Agent (Kindle, eBook)

The Millionaire Mind (Kindle, eBook)

The Millionaire Real Estate Agent (Kindle, eBook)

Super Agent (Kindle, eBook)

Have an idea for a real estate topic? Send us your suggestions.

The inclusion of links on this page does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this page complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.