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Realtor vs real estate agent

The differences between realtors and real estate agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a real estate agent has an average salary of $91,788, which is higher than the $38,290 average annual salary of a realtor.

The top three skills for a realtor include residential real estate, open houses and purchase agreements. The most important skills for a real estate agent are customer service, real estate license, and excellent interpersonal.

Realtor vs real estate agent overview

RealtorReal Estate Agent
Yearly salary$38,290$91,788
Hourly rate$18.41$44.13
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs7,48241,399
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4949
Years of experience--

What does a realtor do?

A realtor is responsible for processing real estate transactions and assisting clients with their concerns and inquiries about a specific property. A realtor should always work for their clients' best interests, ensuring that proposals work within the client's specified budget and property goals. A realtor will also consider the security of a property location before a recommendation to ensure the client's safety and comfort. Realtors must finalize records of cost estimates and purchase agreements, which are essential in choosing the best property.

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.

Realtor vs real estate agent salary

Realtors and real estate agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

RealtorReal Estate Agent
Average salary$38,290$91,788
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $53,000Between $66,000 And $126,000
Highest paying CitySan Antonio, TXLong Beach, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutWest Virginia
Best paying companyBerkshire Hathaway Homeservices Alliance Real EstateSanta Clara Valley Water District
Best paying industryReal EstateFinance

Differences between realtor and real estate agent education

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

RealtorReal Estate Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Realtor vs real estate agent demographics

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

RealtorReal Estate Agent
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 40.2% Female, 59.8%Male, 43.4% Female, 56.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 6.9% White, 69.8% 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, 70.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between realtor and real estate agent duties and responsibilities

Realtor example responsibilities.

  • Process funds and manage accounts through QuickBooks.
  • Manage scheduling and develop computer reports and MLS listings, create PowerPoint presentations, marketing materials and handle advertising.
  • Place and remove signs & lockboxes.
  • Make entries into QuickBooks; reconcile monthly bank statements.
  • Install yard signs, directional signs and lockboxes on each listing.
  • Coordinate social media advertisements by posting updates to Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest accounts.
  • Show more

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

Realtor vs real estate agent skills

Common realtor skills
  • Residential Real Estate, 22%
  • Open Houses, 9%
  • Purchase Agreements, 6%
  • Comparative Market Analysis, 5%
  • Real Estate Sales, 4%
  • Real Estate Contracts, 4%
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%