Real Estate Agent: Occupational Outlook and Career Profile for Real Estate Agents
Although, real estate agents will see an increase in employment, job opportunities may be dictated by factors outside the industry, such as economic downturns. Read on to learn more about the occupational outlook for real estate agents.
Real Estate Agent Occupational Outlook
According to the 2010 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for real estate agents was expected to increase 16% from 2008 to 2018 (www.bls.gov). This growth is due to the increasing population and the high turnover rate within the real estate industry. While growth is expected, the industry is still vulnerable to economic downturns, which may cause real estate prices to fall. While most agents work in traditional real estate offices, they may also be employed by building construction and land subdivision companies.
Salary Information
In May 2010, BLS statistics reflected that the average real estate agent made $52,490 annually. Most agents earned between $20,460 and $95,220 annually. Agents located in the Wilmington, NC metropolitan area received $95,020 annually, the highest of all metro and non-metro areas.
Career Profile
Real estate agents represent buyers and sellers of commercial, residential and other properties. These professionals must be knowledgeable about local neighborhoods and property laws. Real estate agents may also need marketing skills to promote themselves and their properties. They may be required to do research when pricing a property or negotiating an offer.
Real estate agents may work evenings and weekends, depending on their client's schedule. While some time is spent in the office, many hours are spent hosting open houses or prospecting for clients. Real estate agents often work for brokers and may interact with lawyers, accountants and financiers during the selling process.
Educational Requirements and Options
Aspiring real estate agents must complete high school. While a college degree isn't a necessity, postsecondary institutes offer certificate, associate's and bachelor's programs in real estate. These programs include coursework in real estate law, investing and finance. Some programs may integrate courses that are required by state licensing boards into the program.
Licensing
The BLS states that all 50 states and the District of Columbia require agents to be licensed. In order to become licensed, individuals must pass an exam that covers real estate concepts. Some states may have educational requirements that must be completed before individuals sit for an exam. Licenses must be kept current, and may be done by completing continuing education requirements.
Related to Real Estate Agent: Occupational Outlook and Career Profile for Real Estate Agents
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
How to Become a Real Estate Agent
Learn how to become a real estate agent. Research the education requirements, training and licensure information and...
Commercial Real Estate Agent: Job Description and Requirements
Commercial real estate agents assist clients in selling and leasing commercial properties. A career in commercial real...
List of Free Online Real Estate Education Programs and Courses
See our list of the top free online real estate courses. Learn about what courses are available and what topics they...
Top Online Real Estate Schools: List of Schools
A program in real estate trains students in the buying, selling, investing and managing of residential and commercial...
Real Estate Degree Program Options
- Online Real Estate Courses, Classes and Training Information
- How to Get a Real Estate License: Info for Aspiring Real Estate Professionals
- Online Masters in Real Estate: Program Overviews
- Top School for Human Resources - Charlotte, NC
- Top University with Human Resource Management Degree Programs - Phoenix, AZ
- Top Continuing Teacher Education Programs - Indianapolis, IN
- Top University for a Degree in Public Administration - Henderson, NV
- Online Real Estate Certification, Certificate and Diploma Programs
- Real Estate Continuing Education: An Overview
- Top University with a Master's Degree in Health Administration - Birmingham, AL
- Top Human Resource Management Degree Programs - Miami, FL
- Top University with a Master's in Accounting and Financial Management Degree - Cleveland, OH
30 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Business Administration - Real Estate
- BS in Business Administration - Sales Management
-
- BS in Business Administration
- BS in Business Administration - Wealth Management
-
- Associate
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Master
-
- MBA in Business Administration - Finance
- MBA in Finance
-
-
Bachelor
-
- BBA in Business Administration - Real Estate
- BBA in Real Estate
- BBA in Finance
-
- Associate
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
- Associate
-
Non-Degree
-
- Jack Welch Undergraduate Certificate in Becoming a Leader
-
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (3 campuses)
- California (16)
- Colorado (3)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (4)
- Illinois (8)
- Indiana (2)
- Kentucky (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (2)
- North Carolina (2)
- New Jersey (3)
- Nevada (1)
- New York (2)
- Ohio (4)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (1)
- Pennsylvania (5)
- Tennessee (2)
- Texas (7)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (3)
- Washington (3)
- Wisconsin (2)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Non-Degree
-
- Graduate Certificate - Financial Analysis
- Certificate - Business Administration
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
-
Master
-
- Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) - General Program
-
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Doctorate
-
- PhD in Business Administration - Financial Management
- DBA in General Business
-
-
Master
-
- MBA in Financial Management
- MBA in Accelerated General MBA
- MBA in General Business
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Alabama (1 campus)
- Arkansas (2)
- Arizona (6)
- California (24)
- Colorado (3)
- Columbia (D.C.) (1)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (5)
- Hawaii (2)
- Iowa (1)
- Idaho (1)
- Illinois (2)
- Indiana (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (2)
- Massachusetts (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Michigan (2)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- North Carolina (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (2)
- Nevada (2)
- Ohio (1)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (1)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Puerto Rico (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- Tennessee (3)
- Texas (9)
- Utah (3)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Associate
-
- AA - Foundations of Business
- AA in Business Foundations
-
- Non-Degree
