Real Estate Sales Agents vs. Retail Salespersons: Who Earns More?
Real Estate Sales Agentss out-earn Retail Salespersonss by $17K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Real Estate Sales Agentss land at $52,830 and Retail Salespersonss at $35,410. The education gap is real: real estate sales agent programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while retail salesperson programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Real Estate Sales Agentss is District of Columbia ($123,770); for Retail Salespersonss it's Washington ($39,560).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Real Estate Sales Agents median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Real Estate Sales Agentss or Retail Salespersonss?
Real Estate Sales Agentss earn more nationally. The median is $52,830 for Real Estate Sales Agentss versus $35,410 for Retail Salespersonss, a difference of $17K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Real Estate Sales Agents or Retail Salespersons?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Real Estate Sales Agents or Retail Salespersons?
Real Estate Sales Agents typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Retail Salespersons requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Real Estate Sales Agentss get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Real Estate Sales Agentss at $123,770/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Real Estate Sales Agents vs. Retail Salespersons pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Real Estate Sales Agentss earn $123,770 vs. $38,500 for Retail Salespersonss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.