Highlights from the NAR Member Profile

Advertisement

Business Characteristics of REALTORS®

  • 67% of REALTORS® were licensed sales agents
  • 21% held broker licenses
  • 14% held broker associate licenses
  • The typical REALTOR® had 8 years of experience, the same as last year.
  • 79% of REALTORS® were very certain they will remain active as a real estate professional for the next two years.
Member Profile cover

Price: $149.95

Member Price: $14.95

Member Savings: $135.00

Buy full report from REALTOR® Store

Business Activity of REALTORS®

  • At 57%, lack of inventory remains the most important factor limiting potential clients from making a purchase.
  • Most REALTORS® worked 35 hours per week in 2021, the same as last year.
  • The typical REALTOR® earned 16% of their business from repeat clients and customers, and 20% through referrals from past clients and customers.
  • The typical property manager managed 41 properties in 2021, slightly up from 39 properties in 2020.
Real estate agent showing clients a modern home with a glass wall and wooden deck

Income and Expenses of REALTORS®

  • In 2020, 36% of REALTORS® were compensated under a fixed commission split (under 100%), 20% with a graduated commission split (increases with productivity), and 18% with a capped commission split (rises to 100% after a predetermined threshold).
  • REALTORS® with 16 years or more experience had a median gross income of $85,000—up from $75,000 in 2020—compared to REALTORS® with 2 years or less experience that had a median gross income of $8,800—an increase from $8,500 in 2020.
  • The largest expense category for most REALTORS® was vehicle expenses, which was $1,460.
Woman seated at kitchen table holding papers and working on laptop

Office and Firm Affiliation of REALTORS®

  • 54% of REALTORS® are affiliated with an independent company.
  • 87% of members are independent contractors at their firms.
  • The median tenure for REALTORS® with their current firm was five years, the same as last year.
  • 31% of REALTORS® worked for a firm that was bought or merged in the past two years.
Man in suit outdoors holding coffee cup, checking phone, and smiling

Technology and REALTORS®

  • 96% of REALTORS® reported using a smartphone nearly every day.
  • 68% of REALTORS® reported having a website for business use.
  • For professional use, REALTORS® were typically most active on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram
  • REALTORS® most often communicate with clients via text messaging (94%), telephone (92%), and email (90%).
Real estate agent taking a photo of living room with a tablet

Demographic Characteristics of REALTORS®

  • The typical REALTOR® was a 56-year-old white female who attended college and was a homeowner.
  • 66% of all REALTORS® were female, up slightly from 65% last year.
  • The majority of REALTORS®—84%—own their primary residence and 37% own a secondary property.
Colleagues wearing suits in an office looking at a tablet and smiling

Related Content

2022 Member Profile Snapshot

Infographic
Download a snapshot of the 2022 Member Profile, based on a random sampling of NAR’s membership.

Career Choices in Real Estate

Report
How and why did NAR members chose real estate as a career, and how is each gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation doing in the business?

Profile of Real Estate Firms

Report
This report examines real estate firms: their characteristics, business activity, education and training they offer employees, and their outlook.

Research Reports

Use the data in these reports to improve your business through knowledge of the latest trends and statistics.