Post job

Real estate agent vs real estate sales associate

The differences between real estate agents and real estate sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a real estate sales associate has an average salary of $92,941, which is higher than the $91,788 average annual salary of a real estate agent.

The top three skills for a real estate agent include customer service, real estate license and excellent interpersonal. The most important skills for a real estate sales associate are lead generation, real estate market, and commercial property.

Real estate agent vs real estate sales associate overview

Real Estate AgentReal Estate Sales Associate
Yearly salary$91,788$92,941
Hourly rate$44.13$44.68
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs41,399148,646
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4949
Years of experience--

What does a real estate agent do?

A real estate agent helps owners in the selling or renting of houses, land, offices, buildings, or any piece of property. They should be knowledgeable in the area they work in, which local properties are in the market, and the competitive prices for various properties. It is their responsibility to either market or sells in the best possible and reasonable price and conditions. Negotiating is a vital skill for real estate agents as they act as the middleman for buyers and sellers. Most agents bill the client with a percentage of the final sale price as the fee, but some would get a fixed commission for every sale.

What does a real estate sales associate do?

A Real Estate Associate helps clients rent, buy, and sell properties. They also advertise clients properties to other realtors and potential buyers, as well as negotiate contracts with buyers and agents by acting on their behalf.

Real estate agent vs real estate sales associate salary

Real estate agents and real estate sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Real Estate AgentReal Estate Sales Associate
Average salary$91,788$92,941
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $126,000Between $62,000 And $139,000
Highest paying CityLong Beach, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateWest VirginiaMassachusetts
Best paying companySanta Clara Valley Water DistrictGreenberg Traurig
Best paying industryFinanceProfessional

Differences between real estate agent and real estate sales associate education

There are a few differences between a real estate agent and a real estate sales associate in terms of educational background:

Real Estate AgentReal Estate Sales Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Real estate agent vs real estate sales associate demographics

Here are the differences between real estate agents' and real estate sales associates' demographics:

Real Estate AgentReal Estate Sales Associate
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 43.4% Female, 56.6%Male, 47.1% Female, 52.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 6.8% White, 70.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 6.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between real estate agent and real estate sales associate duties and responsibilities

Real estate agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage all accounting, cash management, budgeting and financing for individual LLC's and for corporate entity.
  • Manage extremely complex REO and short sale transactions, coordinating sellers, buyers, and lenders in order to complete them.
  • Create ad campaigns via Google ad-words and Facebook.
  • Determine whether title transfers are assessable for taxation.
  • Learn all phases of real estate ethics, practice and procedures.
  • Review and analyze corporate leases, securities offerings, and secure transactions.
  • Show more

Real estate sales associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage REO listings, complete BPOs, property checks, negotiate offers and manage closings.
  • Manage all accounting, cash management, budgeting and financing for individual LLC's and for corporate entity.
  • Prepare legal documents such as HUD-1 settlement statement, sales contracts, leasing agreements, etc.
  • Perform foreclosure inspections and price opinions on REO properties.
  • Prepare real estate closing documents to include HUD settlement statement and RESPA documents.
  • Provide notary services as needed for legal documentation (notary license still current).
  • Show more

Real estate agent vs real estate sales associate skills

Common real estate agent skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Real Estate License, 11%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 10%
  • Real Estate Market, 10%
  • Open Houses, 7%
  • Develop Marketing Materials, 6%
Common real estate sales associate skills
  • Lead Generation, 24%
  • Real Estate Market, 12%
  • Commercial Property, 11%
  • Open Houses, 10%
  • Residential Real Estate, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%