Based on comprehensive research into Michigan realtor earnings at the city/town level, there is sufficient granular data to create a meaningful “Top 10 towns in Michigan where realtors earn the most” article, though data quality and availability vary significantly by location.

Data Source Landscape

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, typically the gold standard for occupational data, only provides Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) level information for Michigan, not individual cities. The Michigan Association of Realtors doesn’t publicly share city-level compensation data, limiting official industry sources. However, salary comparison sites like ZipRecruiter, Talent.com, and Salary.com fill this gap with varying methodologies and reliability levels.

The 10 Towns in Michigan Where Realtors Earn the Most

10. Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids realtors earn an average of $84,275 annually (verified data). Michigan’s second-largest city benefits from strong economic growth driven by the Medical Mile expansion and major employers like Spectrum Health and Steelcase. The market shows robust activity with homes selling in just 7 days on average and achieving 98.94% of listing prices. However, the competitive agent market and moderate home prices relative to luxury markets limit earnings potential compared to resort destinations.

9. Beverly Hills

By Notorious4life (talk) (Uploads) – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80192485

Not the famous California Beverly Hills… the lesser known one in Michigan. Beverly Hills realtors earn an estimated $85,000 annually (estimated data). This affluent Detroit suburb attracts high-income professionals and executives, with proximity to corporate headquarters in nearby Southfield and Detroit. The community features upscale residential properties and benefits from Oakland County’s strong economic base, though transaction volumes remain moderate due to the smaller population base.

8. Grass Lake

By Dwight Burdette – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10426033

Grass Lake realtors earn an estimated $90,500 annually (estimated data). Located in Jackson County, this smaller community benefits from its position between Ann Arbor and Jackson, attracting buyers seeking more affordable alternatives to university town pricing while maintaining reasonable commute access. The market reflects regional patterns of steady demand from professionals working in nearby metro areas.

7. Fowler

By Notorious4life (talk) (Uploads) – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112907927

Fowler realtors earn an estimated $91,824 annually (estimated data). This rural community in Clinton County shows higher-than-expected earnings, likely reflecting agricultural land transactions and rural residential demand. Limited sample size makes this ranking less certain, but the community’s position in mid-Michigan’s agricultural belt suggests steady demand for farm and rural residential properties.

6. Lansing

Lansing realtors earn an average of $88,563 annually (verified data). As Michigan’s capital city, Lansing benefits from steady government employment and Michigan State University’s presence. The market shows consistent demand from state employees, university staff, and students, with median home prices supporting solid commission opportunities. The diverse housing stock ranges from downtown condos to suburban family homes.

5. Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor realtors earn an average of $89,276 annually (verified data). Home to the University of Michigan, this market commands premium pricing with median home values ranging from $467,000 to $525,000. The university’s $1.7 billion research budget attracts highly educated, well-compensated buyers including professors, researchers, and healthcare professionals. The market’s 77/100 competitiveness score reflects strong demand, with homes frequently selling above asking price.

4. Detroit

Detroit realtors earn between $89,963-$104,606 annually (verified data range). Despite economic challenges, Detroit offers the highest transaction volume per agent nationally, creating opportunities for volume-based earnings. The market has experienced a 16.7% price increase as young professionals return to revitalized neighborhoods like Midtown and Corktown. Downtown luxury condos and historic home renovations provide higher-value transactions alongside the city’s traditional housing stock.

3. Dimondale

By Arkyan – My own work, based on public domain information. Based on similar map concepts by Ixnayonthetimmay, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2928325

Dimondale realtors earn an estimated $103,192 annually (estimated data). This small community near Lansing shows earnings 38% above the state average, likely benefiting from its desirable location offering suburban amenities with easy access to the state capital. The higher earnings suggest a concentration of more expensive properties and potentially limited agent competition in this specialized market.

2. Oakland County Communities

By Lrgjr72 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127195079

Oakland County realtors earn an estimated $112,534 annually (estimated data). This encompasses affluent Detroit suburbs including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, and Troy. These communities feature some of Michigan’s most expensive real estate, with Bloomfield Hills properties commonly selling for $1.1-1.9 million. The concentration of automotive executives, healthcare professionals, and business owners creates consistent demand for luxury properties.

1. Traverse City

Traverse City realtors earn an average of $165,773 annually (verified data). Leading the state by a significant margin, this resort destination benefits from exceptional luxury vacation home demand. Lake Michigan waterfront properties have appreciated 77% since 2020, with average listings reaching $775,425. The seasonal market creates intense competition among wealthy buyers from Chicago, Detroit, and other major metros seeking second homes, driving both prices and commissions to premium levels.

Market Factors Driving Earnings Variations

The research identified clear economic drivers explaining why certain Michigan locations offer substantially higher realtor earnings:

Luxury market concentration creates the highest earning potential. Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham feature median luxury home prices exceeding $650,000, with properties commonly selling for $1.1-1.9 million. With Michigan’s average 6% commission structure, a single $1 million transaction yields approximately $30,000 per agent before brokerage splits, compared to just $5,400 on a $180,000 median-priced home elsewhere in the state.

Lakefront property premiums drive exceptional earnings in Northern Michigan markets. Lake Michigan waterfront properties have appreciated 77% since 2020, with average listing prices reaching $775,425. Traverse City’s remarkable $165,773 average realtor income reflects this luxury vacation home market, where seasonal demand and limited inventory create competitive bidding environments. Properties with private beaches and dock access command the highest premiums, often selling within days of listing.

University and tech sector influence elevates earnings in Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan’s $1.7 billion research budget attracts highly educated, well-compensated buyers. The market’s 77/100 competitiveness score and homes selling above asking price create favorable conditions for agent earnings. Similarly, Grand Rapids benefits from Medical Mile expansion and major employers like Spectrum Health and Steelcase driving corporate relocations.

Post-pandemic market dynamics reshaped earning patterns across Michigan. Remote work flexibility sparked unprecedented demand for Northern Michigan second homes, while urban Detroit experienced a 16.7% price jump as young professionals returned to revitalized neighborhoods. The vacation rental boom particularly benefited resort communities, with properties generating $30,000-$120,000 in seasonal rental income attracting investor buyers willing to pay premium prices.

Data Quality Assessment and Limitations

The research uncovered important data quality variations that affect confidence levels:

High-confidence data exists for major markets including Detroit Metro, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, where multiple sources provide consistent information based on substantial sample sizes. These markets have sufficient data points from Indeed (often 50+ salary reports), cross-validated by ZipRecruiter and industry-specific sources.

Medium-confidence estimates apply to smaller cities like Fowler, Grass Lake, and Dimondale, where limited sample sizes require extrapolation from regional patterns and state average variations. Some sources report these cities as “top-paying” based on job posting data rather than actual earnings reports.

Data gaps persist for rural areas and small towns, where transaction volumes don’t support statistically significant salary reporting. Many smaller Michigan communities lack any city-specific realtor earnings data, making comprehensive statewide analysis impossible.

Methodology variations create wide ranges in reported earnings. ZipRecruiter reports Michigan realtor averages of $74,777, while Indeed shows $103,456 for the same profession. These differences stem from data collection methods (job postings vs. self-reported salaries), inclusion criteria (W-2 employees vs. independent contractors), and timeframe variations.

Recent Market Trends Affecting Earnings

Current market conditions significantly impact realtor earnings potential across Michigan:

Transaction volume declined 17% from 2023 to 2024, reducing earning opportunities despite relatively stable prices. However, this varies dramatically by market – Grand Rapids homes average just 7 days on market with 98.94% sale-to-list ratios, while rural areas see extended listing periods.

Commission structure changes following the August 2024 NAR settlement may affect future earnings. Michigan’s current 5.93-6.03% average commission exceeds the national average, but buyer agent compensation negotiations could reduce overall commission pools.

Inventory constraints in desirable markets create competitive advantages for established agents. With just 38,807 homes for sale statewide (up 11% year-over-year but still below historical norms), agents with strong listing portfolios in high-demand areas maintain pricing power.