These are the 25 States Where Realtors Earn the Most

These are the top 25 states ranked by average annual income for residential real estate agents. Note: we’ve used average income to determine rankings, but also include median income where available to provide insight into what typical agents in each state earn.

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25. North Dakota

Average: $63,620
Median: ~$50,000 (est.)
North Dakota’s high average income is driven by a handful of agents closing large land and oilfield-related deals. But most residential agents earn closer to $50K, which better reflects modest home values across the state.

24. Indiana

Average: $64,610
Median: ~$45,000 (est.)
Hot markets like Indianapolis boost Indiana’s numbers, but widespread affordability keeps commissions—and the median income—lower for most agents.

23. South Carolina

Average: $65,160
Median: $45,820
Tourism-driven markets like Charleston and Myrtle Beach increase average earnings, but agents working inland or in smaller towns pull the median down.

22. Arkansas

Average: $66,750
Median: $43,330
A few big earners (often handling land deals) skew the average up. The typical Arkansas agent earns considerably less, reflective of the state’s low home prices.

21. Iowa

Average: $69,210
Median: $48,130
Steady markets like Des Moines help push up income for top producers, but many Iowa agents deal in low-priced rural properties, keeping the median modest.

20. Virginia

Average: $69,510
Median: ~$50,000 (est.)
Northern Virginia’s affluent suburbs support high commissions, but agents in rural and coastal areas see lower earnings on average.

19. Maryland

Average: $69,810
Median: $53,080
Proximity to D.C. helps Maryland agents in luxury suburbs. The rest of the state offers more affordable housing, which keeps the median lower.

18. Rhode Island

Average: $71,490
Median: ~$48,000 (est.)
Coastal luxury homes (e.g., Newport) raise the average, though most agents work mid-market sales that pay much less.

17. Connecticut

Average: $71,830
Median: ~$55,000 (est.)
Wealthy suburbs and second-home markets increase average income. But like other Northeastern states, the income gap between top and typical agents is wide.

16. Washington

Average: $72,080
Median: $56,500
Seattle’s high prices help top earners rake it in. Median income suggests average agents still earn decently well statewide.

15. Alaska

Average: $72,290
Median: $51,000
Limited agent competition and high-value homes in Anchorage boost income. The market is small, so income depends heavily on local opportunity.

14. Mississippi

Average: $72,900
Median: $69,600
Unusually close average and median numbers suggest fewer agents sharing commissions in key markets. High-performing full-timers report strong earnings.

13. Nevada

Average: $73,990
Median: $48,380
Vegas drives up earnings for a lucky few, but the rest see average incomes typical of mid-range housing markets.

12. Wyoming

Average: $74,820
Median: ~$54,000 (est.)
Sparse population and luxury ranch sales push the average high, even though most agents likely earn far less.

11. Texas

Average: $77,320
Median: $47,700
Markets like Austin and Dallas deliver six-figure commissions for some, but intense competition and rural markets pull the median down.

10. California

Average: $77,430
Median: $54,870
Home to sky-high home prices, California agents enjoy big potential payouts—but also big competition. The median shows how many earn far less than the average.

9. Massachusetts

Average: $79,060
Median: $61,250
Boston’s market pulls the state into the top 10. The relatively high median shows more agents benefit from strong home values statewide.

8. Colorado

Average: $79,610
Median: $60,620
Mountain homes and urban growth in Denver help agents capitalize on high values and volume.

7. South Dakota

Average: $79,900 (est.)
Median: ~$55,000 (est.)
Few agents with big land deals inflate the average, but typical agents likely earn mid-$50K annually.

6. New Jersey

Average: $82,090
Median: $69,660
Proximity to NYC and high home values result in strong income potential across the state.

5. Oklahoma

Average: $82,000 (est.)
Median: ~$45,000 (est.)
Big commercial and ranch deals likely push averages up, but most agents earn far less.

4. Tennessee

Average: $84,110
Median: (Not available)
Nashville’s boom and a growing population have pushed commissions to record highs for top agents.

3. New York

Average: $93,950
Median: $52,520
The luxury NYC market inflates the average, but competition and volume dilution bring down the median.

2. New Hampshire

Average: $94,810
Median: $48,530
Small number of agents + some luxury market activity = high average income.

1. Vermont

Average: $100,750
Median: $80,070
Low agent competition and strong vacation-home sales create an income sweet spot for Vermont realtors.

Why These States Rank High
The top-earning states tend to feature high average home values, strong demand, and limited competition. Luxury sales, second-home markets, and hot urban centers push average incomes up. But in many cases, the median income is far lower—showing that a small number of superstar agents skew the averages.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2023)

• National Association of Realtors Income and Business Characteristics Reports

• Salary.com Realtor Salary Estimates by State

• Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter average salary reports for real estate agents

• Home Bay Real Estate Agent Salary Data

• RealEstateU 2024 Realtor Income Trends

• CE Shop State-by-State Realtor Income Rankings

• Homelight Realtor Pay Studies