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What is a licensed realtor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Dave Bunton,
Daniel Wright
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A Licensed Realtor or real estate agent helps a client sell, buy, or rent houses, lands, buildings, and other properties. If you plan to be a licensed Realtor, you will be giving clients accurate advice and guidance to help them sell their properties in the market. You will also do negotiations when it comes to the prices of the properties.

As a Licensed Realtor, there are special skills you need to have. For instance, since you are selling or buying properties, you need to have excellent business skills. You need to know the consumers' or clients' behavior in order to be successful. Next is interpersonal skills. You are dealing with different types of people, so you should know what approach to use to send your message across. Lastly, since you will have a lot on your plate, you need to be organized at all times. This way, you will not be confused and out of focus.

As a Licensed Realtor, you have the chance to earn an annual salary of $36,949 with a job growth rate of 7%. You may also explore other careers like being an Account Executive, a Manager, a Property Manager, and a Senior Property Manager if you start as a Licensed Realtor.

What general advice would you give to a Licensed Realtor?

Dave BuntonDave Bunton LinkedIn Profile

President, The Appraisal Foundation

During the pandemic, we've seen an increase in the number of people hoping to join the appraisal profession. This makes sense because appraisal work allows you to work out of your home independently, has flexible hours, and takes advantage of the latest technology. While many industries have had to make these shifts after the pandemic started, appraisers have been working this way for years, and we're pleased that folks looking to start or shift their careers are discovering these benefits in the appraisal profession.
ScoreLicensed RealtorUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $38,029

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.4

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.32%

Asian 6.94%

Black or African American 5.37%

Hispanic or Latino 13.44%

Unknown 4.32%

White 69.62%

Gender

female 61.74%

male 38.26%

Age - 50
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50
Stress Level
6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.0

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
2.5

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Licensed Realtor career paths

Key steps to become a licensed realtor

  1. Explore licensed realtor education requirements

    Most common licensed realtor degrees

    Bachelor's

    60.9 %

    Associate

    20.0 %

    Master's

    8.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific licensed realtor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Residential Real Estate32.47%
    Purchase Agreements8.55%
    Lead Generation5.85%
    Real Estate Market5.39%
    Sales Contracts5.13%
  3. Complete relevant licensed realtor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New licensed realtors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a licensed realtor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real licensed realtor resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed licensed realtor usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed licensed realtor in most of states. 34 states require licensed realtors to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    StateEducationExamLicense Url
    MarylandDegree requiredState exam requiredREAL ESTATE SALESPERSON
    ArkansasSpecific course requiredState exam requiredReal Estate Salesperson
    CaliforniaDegree requiredState exam requiredReal Estate Salesperson
    ConnecticutSpecific course requiredState exam requiredReal Estate Salesperson
    DelawareDegree requiredState exam requiredReal Estate Sales Agent
  5. Gain additional licensed realtor certifications

    Licensed realtor certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific licensed realtor certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for licensed realtors include Graduate - Realtor Institute (GRI) and Certified Real Estate Inspector (CRI).

    More About Certifications
  6. Research licensed realtor duties and responsibilities

    • Monitor and manage inventory of all outlying properties for inspections and listings, maintaining MLS for properties across the agency.
    • Specialize in management, marketing, analysis, repairs and sale of REO properties.
    • Conduct research and develop computer reports on MLS listings in order to create comparative reports and advertising for prospective transactions.
    • Develop and execute sales/marketing programs and general sales solutions resulting in increase company exposure, customer traffic, and sales production.
  7. Prepare your licensed realtor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your licensed realtor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a licensed realtor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Licensed Realtor Resume templates

    Build a professional Licensed Realtor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Licensed Realtor resume.
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  8. Apply for licensed realtor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a licensed realtor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Licensed Realtor Job

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Average licensed realtor salary

The average Licensed Realtor salary in the United States is $38,029 per year or $18 per hour. Licensed realtor salaries range between $27,000 and $52,000 per year.

Average Licensed Realtor Salary
$38,029 Yearly
$18.28 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do licensed realtors rate their job?

-/5

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Licensed Realtor reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

My own schedule and meeting great people.

Cons

No guarantee on income or relevance


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2021
Pros

Flexible Schedule. Accompanying New Agents with business operation skills, critical communication skills, contract negotiation, problem solving, proactive approach to obtaining purchase agreement, assisting brokers with avenues to increase network for sales agent, conducting feasibility study for outmoded business models, providing ongoing business operation training, training programs for leadership/business development, building trust for agent sustainability.

Cons

Continuous solicitation of businesses to sustain. Louisiana has small window for Real Estate Consultants.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Flexibility and potential for making great money.

Cons

Not knowing where my next paycheck is coming from. Being unemployed in between clients.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.