Real Estate Career Paths: What Are the Best Paying Jobs?
For those drawn to real estate, the career options are as diverse as the properties themselves. While some roles focus on direct sales, others involve strategic investments, property management, or even urban planning. The earning potential in real estate varies widely, but certain paths stand out for their high pay and strong growth potential.
If you're considering a career in real estate, this guide will help you understand which jobs offer the most lucrative opportunities and what it takes to excel in them.
Types of Real Estate Jobs
Careers in the real estate industry can often be attained with post-secondary licensing rather than a college degree, so in many cases, you can be on your way within the year.
Below, you'll find various types of real estate jobs. It's by no means a comprehensive list, but it's an excellent place to start.
Real Estate Agents or Associate Brokers
Real estate agents (or brokers) facilitate the sale of real estate – in most cases, they focus on residential property.
In most states, the professionals actively involved in the marketing, negotiation, and transaction are called sales agents, but in a few states, this first level of licensing is labeled "broker." Even real estate professionals with a more advanced level of licensing may choose to actively participate in sales and take commission. These individuals are typically referred to as Associate Brokers.
The median income of sales agents and associate brokers is $46,727 a year.
Managing Brokers
Managing brokers either own or participate in the daily operation of a real estate brokerage. They're allowed to handle commissions and escrow accounts, but they also have legal responsibility for the agents and associate brokers under their supervision.
The median salary for managing brokers is $77,419 a year.
Property Managers
Property managers act as the go-between for property owners and the entities that lease their property, whether those are individuals renting a residence or businesses renting commercial space.
They handle the daily business of leveraging the property for income – finding lessees, collecting rent, arranging maintenance, and handling evictions.
The median national income for a residential property manager is $74,341 a year.
Leasing Consultants
Leasing consultants – also called leasing agents or sometimes leasing managers – work for property management firms and do the footwork of the business. As a result, this job is often considered a gateway to learning the industry.
Residential leasing consultants have a median annual income of $34,063.
Real Estate Appraisers
Real estate appraisers assess a property's condition and nearby property values to create an objective estimate of a property's value. Appraisers are typically hired by lenders to provide an impartial, professional opinion on the value of a home. Their assessment helps determine the amount a lender is willing to loan to a buyer. Mortgage companies often require professional appraisals to ensure that a property's price aligns with its market value.
Residential appraisers have a median income of $59,124 a year.
Home Inspectors
Home inspectors assess a property as well, but they're looking at the condition of the house for health and safety issues or necessary repairs. They focus more on the physical condition of a property. Inspectors assess a home’s structural integrity, systems (like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC), and potential issues (such as mold, pests, or foundation cracks) to give buyers insight into the home’s condition before purchase.
Home inspectors have a median income of $65,924 a year.
Other Career Paths in Real Estate
There are a whole range of real estate career paths on the financial side, including mortgage officers, foreclosure specialists, escrow officers, and title examiners. Mortgage officers work with buyers to secure loans, evaluating creditworthiness and guiding clients through the loan application process. Foreclosure specialists manage properties in default, working to recover assets for lenders and navigate the foreclosure process efficiently. Escrow officers serve as neutral third parties in transactions, ensuring that all documents and funds are handled securely until closing. Title examiners research property records to verify ownership and identify any claims or liens, protecting buyers and lenders from potential legal issues down the line.
Each of these roles plays an essential part in real estate transactions, supporting both clients and companies in achieving secure, efficient deals. Whether it’s through financial management, legal due diligence, or transaction oversight, careers in these areas offer diverse opportunities for those interested in the financial and administrative aspects of real estate.
Other Jobs in the Real Estate Office
You may be suited for a real estate office job, even if you're not interested in getting a real estate license or similar credential.
There are a variety of necessary supporting jobs in real estate offices, including administrative roles, accounting, marketing, home staging, photography, and videography.
Best Paying Jobs in Real Estate
Since real estate careers are often commission-based, it's difficult to predict how much you can make in any given job. For example, it's possible to make six figures as a residential real estate agent, but most agents make far less. There are many factors that play into your earnings potential in most roles, including location, hustle, niche, and contract terms.
Reliably high-paying real estate jobs typically involve a college education or greater. For example, the median salary for a real estate attorney is $166, 203, but it requires 7 years of higher education.
Commercial real estate careers are another instance. While many of the jobs in commercial real estate are analogous to the residential version, breaking in isn't as simple as choosing a commercial specialty. They're among the most high-paying jobs in real estate, but they typically require more education.
For example, residential real estate agents only need pre-license training to break into the field, but commercial real estate agents need a college degree in business, finance, or a related field, which is a six-month commitment versus a 4-year one.
In virtually every role, commercial real estate requires more knowledge of finance, legal complexities, building codes, and various technical considerations.
And yet, commercial real estate career paths are well worth it when you consider the median yearly income:
- Commercial real estate brokers: $105,580
- Commercial real estate appraisers: $94,943
- Commercial leasing managers: $128,256
- Commercial property managers: $100,854
- Retail real estate managers: $144,270
Similarly, real estate development careers also require a bachelor's degree at minimum but have median incomes in the six figures.
Interested in Working in Real Estate?
Ready to start one of these careers in real estate? If you need a real estate license to begin your journey, we can help!
As an online training provider with over 20 years of experience, we're approved for pre-license education in many states and able to provide exam prep resources for the others.
Enroll today to get started!
Real Estate Appraisers
Real estate appraisers assess a property's condition and nearby property values to create an objective estimate of a property's value. Mortgage companies often require professional appraisals to ensure that a property's price aligns with its market value.
Residential appraisers have a median income of $57,444 a year.
Home Inspectors
Home inspectors assess a property as well, but they're looking at the condition of the house for health and safety issues or necessary repairs.
Home inspectors have a median income of $54,578 a year.
Other Career Paths in Real Estate
There are a whole range of real estate career paths on the financial side, including mortgage officers, foreclosure specialists, escrow officers, and title examiners.
Other Jobs in the Real Estate Office
You may be suited for a real estate office job, even if you're not interested in getting a real estate license or similar credential.
There are a variety of necessary supporting jobs in real estate offices, including administrative roles, accounting, marketing, home staging, photography, and videography.
Best Paying Jobs in Real Estate
Since real estate careers are often commission-based, it's difficult to predict how much you can make in any given job. For example, it's possible to make six figures as a residential real estate agent, but most agents make far less. There are many factors that play into your earnings potential in most roles, including location, hustle, niche, and contract terms.
Reliably high-paying real estate jobs typically involve a college education or greater. For example, the median salary for a real estate attorney is $159,924, but it requires 7 years of higher education.
Commercial real estate careers are another instance. While many of the jobs in commercial real estate are analogous to the residential version, breaking in isn't as simple as choosing a commercial specialty. They're among the most high-paying jobs in real estate, but they typically require more education.
For example, residential real estate agents only need pre-license training to break into the field, but commercial real estate agents need a college degree in business, finance, or a related field, which is a six-month commitment versus a 4-year one.
In virtually every role, commercial real estate requires more knowledge of finance, legal complexities, building codes, and various technical considerations.
And yet, commercial real estate career paths are well worth it when you consider the median yearly income:
- Commercial real estate brokers: $107,196
- Commercial real estate appraisers: $89,134
- Commercial leasing managers: $123,179
- Commercial property managers: $95,514
- Retail real estate managers: $138,058
Similarly, real estate development careers also require a bachelor's degree at minimum but have median incomes in the six figures.
Interested in Working in Real Estate?
Ready to start one of these careers in real estate? If you need a real estate license to begin your journey, we can help!
As an online training provider with over 20 years of experience, we're approved for pre-license education in many states and able to provide exam prep resources for the others.
Enroll today to get started!
