Real estate sales agents
SOC Code: 41-9022
Real estate sales agents carries a 29% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $56,320 and +3.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 420,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Real estate sales agents (SOC 41-9022) carries an AI exposure score of 29%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 420,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.1% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $56,320, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Real estate sales agents. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
- 2. Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
- 3. Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
- 4. Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.
- 5. Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of purchase agreements are met before closing dates.
- 6. Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.
- 7. Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
- 8. Coordinate property closings, overseeing signing of documents and disbursement of funds.
- 9. Interview clients to determine what kinds of properties they are seeking.
- 10. Contact previous clients for prospecting of referral business.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Negotiation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Persuasion
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Communications and Media
- Building and Construction
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Real estate sales agents?
Real estate sales agents has an AI exposure score of 29%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Real estate sales agents?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Real estate sales agents is projected to grow by 3.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 420,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Real estate sales agents?
Key skills for Real estate sales agents include Active Listening, Speaking, Negotiation, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Real estate sales agents earn?
The median annual wage for Real estate sales agents is $56,320, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Real estate sales agents?
The typical entry-level education for Real estate sales agents is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Real estate sales agents?
Real estate sales agents roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).