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Job outlook for real estate investors in the United States
Are real estate investor jobs in demand?
Real estate investor job and salary trends over time
Real estate investor jobs over time
Real estate investor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,277 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,196 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,201 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,102 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,016 | 0.00% |
Average real estate investor salary over time
Real estate investor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $81,345 | $39.11 | +1.5% |
| 2025 | $80,117 | $38.52 | +0.7% |
| 2024 | $79,545 | $38.24 | --0.6% |
| 2023 | $79,995 | $38.46 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $77,772 | $37.39 | +3.0% |
Real estate investor jobs by state
Most common states for real estate investors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 925 | 13% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 361 | 11% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 110 | 11% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 68 | 10% |
| 5 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 324 | 9% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 115 | 9% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 78 | 7% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 43 | 7% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 737 | 6% |
| 10 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 379 | 6% |
| 11 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 307 | 6% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 461 | 5% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 382 | 5% |
| 14 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 211 | 5% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 92 | 5% |
| 16 | New York | 19,849,399 | 732 | 4% |
| 17 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 378 | 4% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 215 | 4% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 147 | 4% |
| 20 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 259 | 3% |
Most common cities for real estate investors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $88,730 |
| 2 | New York | 1 | 0% | $92,996 |
| 3 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $104,896 |
Real Estate Investor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of real estate investor experts
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Clemson University
Virginia Tech
UNC Charlotte
Georgia State University
What Real Estate Investor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jeffrey Peshut J.D.: Once you've become proficient in financial analysis and research analysis, the next step is to develop knowledge and skills in managing real estate transactions, such as real estate lease transactions, real estate purchase and sale transactions and real estate loan transactions. This includes developing excellent verbal and written communication skills, marketing and sales skills and negotiation skills.
What will help Real Estate Investors increase their earning potential?
Jeffrey Peshut J.D.: There's an old saying, 'It's not what you know, but who you know.' I would modify that to say it's not just what you know – your knowledge and skills – but also who you know. Therefore, in addition to developing the knowledge and skills mentioned above, you need to develop a network of relationships that can provide guidance and support and introductions to people who can help you to advance along your career path and achieve your professional and financial goals.
What general advice would you give to a Real Estate Investor?
Stephen Buckman: Make yourself valuable by finding your niche where you become a valuable piece. Take risks when you are young without a lot to lose. Learn from mistakes and fail forward.
What Real Estate Investor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephen Buckman: The soft skills and the ability to think analytically. I come across so many students that could slap a proforma together but can't really tell you what it means. You should be able to explain a deal on the back of a napkin in five minutes. But this really goes back to my first point of spending time outside of the 9-5 work day and going to functions etc.
What will help Real Estate Investors increase their earning potential?
Stephen Buckman: Make yourself valuable. Just because you can crunch a proforma or do a detailed spread sheet doesn't mean you are valuable. Find your niche where you become that valuable piece. Plus when you are young without a lot to lose is the time to take risks. You will fail but you will fail forward. Learning from those mistakes when you don't have a lot to lose is so important.
Jonathan Everett
Assistant Professor of PracticeVirginia Tech
Pamplin College of Business Blackwood Program in Real Estate
What skills stand out on Real Estate Investor resumes?
Jonathan Everett: While there is a multitude of skills Real Estate professionals need to acquire, personal experience and conversations with colleagues and industry professionals lead me to conclude one is critical; an adaptive, curious, resourceful mindset that can venture into the unknown. Real estate is evolving, like many industries, and being able to thrive in an ambiguous and changing environment is a critical skill employers will appreciate. So how does an individual demonstrate this skill on a resume? This could be accomplished by highlighting experiences that demonstrate this mindset. It could also include obtaining relevant educational or industry certifications that demonstrate an appetite for continual education or learning new skills. One of the beauties of real estate is you can often find a job that fits within your interests or skillset - there are opportunities in law, finance, property management, sales, appraising, planning, engineering, construction, and much more. However, rarely (arguably never) are you going to see two identical scenarios. Consequently, resourcefulness and a willingness to dive in and construct the puzzle are critical.
What soft skills should all Real Estate Investors possess?
Jonathan Everett: I would venture to guess that many successful real estate professionals would say real estate is a people's business. In the classroom, we often discuss how one of a real estate developer's biggest responsibilities is assembling the right team. Most real estate professions require immense communication amongst a multitude of parties. You have to understand the motivations of each party, how to communicate with each party, and how to choreograph several moving parts, so every action is pushing towards an aligned outcome. This requires the ability to listen, articulate, negotiate, and adapt.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Real Estate Investors?
Jonathan Everett: I think regardless of the job role, having a proficient understanding of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint is critical. Additionally, familiarity with job-specific software is a plus. From what I have seen, most facets of real estate have specific software packages or platforms they utilize, whether the function is for property management, financial modeling, etc.
As a former banker, I am likely biased but would argue financial acumen is important. Whether an individual primarily works with consumers or commercial clients, real estate professionals need to understand what matters to capital. On the commercial side, even though an individual may not be responsible for creating a pro forma or financial statements, many real estate jobs require at least a basic understanding of the mechanics and interpretation of a pro forma.
Sales experience or training is also a plus as most jobs in real estate either directly or indirectly involve sales.
Additionally, having an understanding of real estate law, contract law, appraising, management, construction, and land planning will also serve one well.
Lastly, we are in the age of data. Learning how to work with and make informed decisions utilizing data is a valuable skill set.
What skills will help Real Estate Investors earn the most?
Jonathan Everett: While field and job role dependent, I think communication skills, education, experience, and strategic industry certifications will help individuals succeed monetarily and professionally. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you can do and how you can add value. However, what you bring to the table is just as important as the ability to communicate what you bring to the table. It is important individuals understand how to communicate to employers or clients what they bring to the table. This process can also prove enlightening because it forces individuals to ask, "What value add do I bring?" This has the opportunity to expose strengths and also identify some potential areas where further learning or experience is necessary.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Real Estate Investors?
Daniel Wright: -MBA with concentration in real estate or Master's in Real Estate
-Undergraduate degree in finance with real estate major
-CCIM designation
-CRE Designation
-State real estate license with broker designation
-Online course certifications such as Adventures in Commercial Real Estate
-Real estate modeling courses
-Data analytics courses
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Real Estate Investors to find work opportunities?
Lynn McKee: We believe the most promising job markets will be the growth markets of the Southeast and Southwest (Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Austin, etc...). These markets are positioned to receive company and population relocations out of the extensive coastal markets as companies disperse their workforce and talent pools. Real estate demand and therefore job opportunities will follow this relocation pattern. More difficult markets will be these large coastal markets (New York, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, LA, etc...) which have existing deep pools of real estate talent but potentially diminishing real estate demand and therefore job opportunities.