Income for brokers and agents was on the rise last year but varied significantly from one area to the next.
Broker working with new agent at desk

Real estate professionals’ income was on the rise last year, a new study of members from the National Association of REALTORS® shows. The median gross income of REALTORS® in 2019 was $49,700, up from $41,800 in 2018. But those with 16 years or more experience earned nearly double that, with a median gross income of $86,500.

However, in certain states, real estate professionals and brokers are earning a lot more. Forbes.com recently analyzed earnings figures for real estate agents and brokers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics data to view data at a state level. They found average income for real estate agents and brokers can vary significantly from state to state.

The highest real estate agent income tend to be primarily in the Northeast and out West, according to the analysis. The following are the 10 states where real estate agents earn, on average, the most money:

  • New York: $111,800 (average real estate agent salary)
  • Massachusetts: $84,180
  • Connecticut: $79,780
  • Alaska: $79,360
  • Colorado: $76,850
  • Utah: $75,170
  • California: $74,140
  • Texas: $72,830
  • Wyoming: $71,460
  • Hawaii: $71,140

Broker income tends to be slightly higher than real estate agent earnings in the majority of states, according to the study. (Note: The BLS data does not have data for 11 states, so the information is less complete for brokers, Forbes.com cautions.) The top 10 states where real estate brokers earn the most money on average:

  • New Mexico: $112,860 (average salary)
  • Massachusetts: $109,140
  • California: $104,120
  • New York: $99,930
  • Texas: $95,150
  • Nevada: $93,850
  • Wisconsin: $93,400
  • Maryland: $92,540
  • Indiana: $89,720
  • North Carolina: $84,770

View a full breakdown by state of how much real estate agents and brokers make at Forbes.com.

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