What the average Realtor® is like

Being a Realtor® is becoming more profitable.

According to the National Association of Realtors® 2017 Member Profile, agents saw an average of 12 transactions year-to-year, up from 11 in last year’s report, as well as an 8 percent increase in their median gross income, rising from $39,200 in 2015 to $42,500 in 2016. Around 24 percent of agents earn under $10,000, while 24 percent earn above $100,000.

The number of transactions is the highest it has been since 2014. As for the transactions themselves, about one-quarter of Realtors reported having a transaction with a foreclosure, while 18 percent had one with a short sale. And where are they getting this business? The average Realtor® had 13 percent business from repeat clients, and 18 percent from referrals.

“The return of pre-recession market levels and rising home sales and prices have led to increased business activity among Realtors® and an increase in Realtor® membership,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “It is a highly entrepreneurial business, with some members earning six-figure incomes while others were barely scratching out less than $10,000.”

The average Realtor® has 10 years of experience. Sixty-three percent are female, and the average age is 53. Most Realtor® seem content in their field, as 82 percent reported they planned to stay in real estate for at least another two years. In a previous career, 33 percent reported that they worked in management, business, finance, sales or retail.

More than half of Realtors® reported that they are affiliated with an independent company, while close to 90 percent are independent contracts at a firm.

NAR reported that membership rose from 1.16 million to 1.22 million, and 28 percent of agents have less than two years in the industry. Members with less than one year represent 20 percent of membership, NAR reported.