Top 10 Highest Paying Real Estate Jobs 2024 (Inc Salaries)

In this article, we'll explore the highest-paying real estate jobs in 2024, along with everything you need to know about them-- their job descriptions, educational requirements, and average annual salaries.

A career in real estate is quite controversial.

Most people shy away from it because of its unstable income, commission-based pay, and undeniably high competition.

On the other hand, a lot of people wish to enter this industry due to its flexible hours, unlimited earning potential, and the opportunity to network with clients and professionals.

And with a projected growth rate of 3% to 6%, the job outlook for real estate careers is looking good.

Considering all these in mind, the real estate industry offers plenty of benefits for highly motivated and goal-driven people, especially if you're on the right real estate career path.

If you're new to the industry or are considering joining it, you should familiarize yourself with the different types of real estate jobs that offer the best salaries and opportunities.

Top 10 Highest Paying Real Estate Jobs (Inc Salaries)

1. Real Estate Investment Consultant

Also known as real estate counselors or advisors, these real estate professionals provide expert financial advice to people planning to sell, buy, or develop residential and commercial properties.

They analyze market trends and perform site visits to provide research-based recommendations to guide their clients in making decisions at every step of the investment process.

They work with different types of clients, including but not limited to consulting firms, residential clients, developers, and investors.

Educational Requirements

Becoming a real estate consultant doesn't require any specific educational degree. Obtaining this position is more about in-depth knowledge about the industry, so years of work experience as an agent is necessary, along with passing the real estate licensing examination.

Earning a Master’s degree in Business Administration or Economics and certifications (like the Consumer-Certified Related Real Estate Consultant) is also highly recommended.

Average Salary Information

According to Glassdoor, the earning potential for a consultant is around USD 201,200 per year.

2. Real Estate Investor

Investors are real estate experts who buy residential and commercial properties to sell and rent them out.

Since starting this business requires high capital, most real estate investors are hired to facilitate business transactions on behalf of their clients.

This position falls under three categories, namely:

Wholesalers who buy properties in bulk at a discounted price and sell them for higher profits.

House flippers purchase properties and then fix them up to sell them at a higher price.

Landlords who buy property and have them rented out.

Educational Requirements

You don't need to finish any specific college degrees to enter this field. Still, you need practical knowledge to thrive in this industry.

Enrolling in real estate education programs can help you earn the education you need. These may include taking courses from trade groups and universities and availing online and live coaching programs.

Since this industry involves high risks, an online MBA program can provide you with advanced financial management and economics knowledge that can help you properly manage your assets.

Average Salary Information

Investors in this industry earn USD 189,700 per year on average.

They may also get an additional pay of USD 90,600 through cash bonuses and commissions.

3. Real Estate Broker

Like sales agents, brokers also assist clients in buying, selling, and transferring properties. However, they also perform more advanced supervisory roles.

What makes a broker different from a sales agent is they are educated and trained to manage a team of sales agents.

Their primary responsibility is to ensure that all transactions facilitated by their team are lawful, correct, documented, and recorded correctly.

Educational Requirements

All real estate brokers start as sales agents, so you need to take a state-mandated licensure course, pass the licensing exam, and earn years of work experience.

On top of that, you’d also need to get relevant certifications, take the state-approved broker course, and pass the real estate broker exam.

Since this is a managerial role, getting an MBA is highly recommended, especially if you plan to start your brokerage firm.

Average Salary Information

Brokers earn an annual median wage of USD 180,200.

Depending on the company, they may also get the chance to earn an estimated additional pay of USD 76, 000 per year.

4. Commercial Real Estate Sales Agent

Commercial real estate agents assist their clients in buying, selling, leasing, or renting offices or retail spaces.

They serve as liaisons between tenants and landlords, and their main goal is to ensure that their clients will get the best possible deal out of the real estate transaction.

Since they deal with commercial properties, they must have comprehensive knowledge of property management, market data, financial analysis, and tax and zoning regulations.

Educational Requirements

The only requirement to land this position is to obtain licensure by passing the state-required licensing examination.

To become eligible for this exam, you must finish the state-required licensing course (duration may vary depending on the state) and have at least 1 to 3 years of experience working in a real estate firm.

You must also take continuing education courses every 2 to 4 years, depending on the state, to renew your license.

Average Salary Information

A commercial real estate agent makes an average salary of USD 154,300 per year.

They may also receive cash bonuses and commissions amounting to USD 63,700.

5. Real Estate Attorney

A real estate attorney is a lawyer trained and educated to provide specialized advice to both parties involved in a real estate transaction.

Their main tasks include preparing and reviewing the documents and contracts needed for the sale, representing their client's best interests, and overseeing the closing process.

Educational Requirements

If you’re interested in becoming a real estate attorney, here are the steps you need to take:

• Earn a 4 -year bachelor’s degree in Business administration or economics,

• Pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT),

• Attend 3 to 4 years of law school to obtain your Juris Doctor (JD) degree,

• Pursue LLM to get your specialized training in real estate law,

• Pass the bar exam to earn your US license.

Average Salary Information

According to Glassdoor, lawyers in the real estate industry make around USD 128,300 every year.

On top of that, they may also receive an estimated additional pay amounting to USD 23, 800 in the form of cash bonuses and profit sharing.

6. Residential Real Estate Sales Agent

Residential real estate agents help clients find a residential property to rent or buy. Additionally, they also work with sellers and connect them with potential buyers. To put it simply, they mediate negotiations between the seller and buyer.

The type of properties they deal with includes single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, condominiums, duplexes, and many more.

Their other responsibilities include making property listings, conducting site visits, performing real estate market analysis, and preparing the necessary documents (purchase and lease agreements, closing statements, etc.).

Educational Requirements

The steps to becoming a residential real estate agent involve a blend of formal education, work experience, and certifications and licensing, and these include:

earning a pre-licensing course (duration varies depending on the state),

passing the licensing exam,

activating your real estate agent license,

become a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investors,

and joining a brokerage.

Average Salary Information

The average real estate agent salary of USD 147,800.

These professionals can also receive an estimated additional pay of USD 60, 200 in cash bonuses, profit sharing, and commissions.

7. Real Estate Developer

Real estate developers oversee the team of professionals involved in renovating and upgrading existing properties or developing structures in vacant land to sell it later on for profit.

Their primary responsibilities include obtaining necessary funding, ensuring compliance with zoning laws and building codes, land acquisition, conducting market studies to determine the project's feasibility, and working with professionals regarding building development and renovations.

Educational Requirements

Becoming a real estate developer involves a few steps. Here they are:

obtain a bachelor's degree in related fields such as law, finance, business, and architecture.

take a master's degree in Business administration, majoring in real estate, to learn more about public policy, real estate law, finance, and environmental remediation.

gain relevant work experience in the real estate industry or other related fields.

Take real estate development courses and certifications. Some of your best options are NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Parks), CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), SRS (Seller Representative Specialist), and GRI (Graduate Realtor Institution).

Average Salary Information

The earning potential of a real estate developer is USD 134,400 per year.

On top of that, they can also get an estimated additional pay of USD 20, 000 through cash bonuses, depending on the company's pay structure.

8. Mortgage Loan Officer

Mortgage loan officers are real estate professionals working in banks and mortgage companies. They provide specialized advice to help clients determine their best financial option when buying real estate property.

They gather the borrower’s financial data and provide information about the various property loan types and their interest rates.

They are also responsible for collecting all the necessary documents for the loan application and keeping an accurate record of all mortgage transactions.

Educational Requirements

The basic educational requirement to be a mortgage loan officer is a high school diploma or GED, preferably with a few finance and math classes.

But more than the educational background, getting licensed is the most important thing. To obtain licensure, you need to fulfill the following requirements:

complete a pre-licensure course accredited by the National Mortgage Licensing Service (NMLS),

pass the SAFE (Secure and Fair Enforcement Act) Mortgage Loan Officer,

and fulfill other NMLS requirements (sponsorship and NMLS Unique identifier).

Average Salary Information

Mortgage loan officers earn an annual median wage of USD 139,200 with a potential additional income of USD 63,700 in the form of cash bonuses and commissions.

9. Real Estate Asset Manager

A real estate asset manager is responsible for managing properties and assets and making financial decisions on behalf of their clients.

While property managers are in charge of the day-to-day operations, asset managers ensure that the clients will have impressive returns from their investments.

They maximize client’s profits by enhancing property value, minimizing risk, cutting costs, and identifying the sources that generate the most revenue.

Educational Requirements

The asset management position requires a deep understanding of the real estate market and extensive business know-how.

With that said, most jobs typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in business, real estate, and other related fields.

Taking an MBA degree to develop the project management, communication, and interpersonal skills needed for this position is also a good idea.

Average Salary Information

Real estate managers make an average annual salary of USD 119,900 with a potential cash bonus of USD 23, 900 per year.

10. Commercial Leasing Manager

Commercial leasing managers oversee the day-to-day operations of rental real estate businesses.

They are responsible for doing background research on lease applicants, negotiating the lease agreements, and carrying out all the required paperwork.

They may also have additional responsibilities, including recruiting and training employees, establishing and managing the department's budget, and maintaining rental properties.

Educational Requirements

A bachelor's degree in business administration or real estate will give you the financial knowledge you need to enter the industry.

On the other hand, an online MBA program equips you with excellent communication, negotiation, and management skills needed to thrive in this position.

On top of that, prior experience in the same industry is a must.

Average Salary Information

The estimated total pay for leasing managers is USD 108,600 per year.

Depending on the company or client, they may also receive an average additional pay of USD 27, 000.

Aside from these real estate positions, other top-paying roles in real estate include a real estate analyst, timeshare sales agent, real estate appraiser, home inspector, real estate assistant, property manager, and house flipper.

FAQs

What is the highest-paying real estate job in 2024?

A real estate investment consultant will be one of the best paying jobs in real estate in 2024.

Currently, this position comes with a salary range of USD 151,000 to USD 276,000 and an average annual salary of USD 201,300.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which real estate jobs are projected to have the highest level of growth?

As per BLS, the fastest-growing real estate jobs are real estate attorney and property and real estate managers, which are expected to grow 6% and 5% accordingly until 2032.

What is the best real estate career path in 2024?

Considering its annual salaries and projected growth rate, consultancy and sales are the best real estate career paths to take in 2024.

These jobs come with good job stability, high income, and opportunities for commissions and bonuses, which can significantly increase their earning potential.

What skills or expertise is required for high-paying real estate jobs?

The list of high-paying real estate jobs comprises diverse career options—from sales to management to law- so the skills may vary depending on your industry.

However, regardless of the industry, five essential skills are critical to real estate success.

These include networking and communication, sales, time and project management, real estate market know-how, and networking abilities.

Discover what kind of skills you need to thrive in the real estate industry you want to enter. Download Our Free Report here.

What qualifications are required for high-paying real estate jobs?

Here are the four basic requirements to qualify for these real estate jobs: undergraduate degree, pre-licensing course, state licensure, and relevant work experience.

Why is it beneficial to gain a BBA/MBA degree to gain a career in real estate?

While an undergraduate degree is enough to get you an excellent job in real estate, an MBA or BBA degree is a must if you want a competitive edge over the other candidates.

An online BBA or MBA program can provide advanced knowledge of housing markets, real estate economics, and laws that can help further your career or maximize your profits.

On top of that, it also creates perfect networking opportunities to establish industry connections, which is one of the most important assets you can have in this business.

Conclusion

Many real estate jobs come with commissions, so we can say that there is money in the real estate industry. However, one caveat to its earning potential is the high competition.

That said, you need to earn more than the four basic requirements to get the highest paying jobs in real estate. You need an advanced degree like an MBA or BBA to stay ahead of the game.

With Nexford’s online programs, you will learn more about the market, discover better investment strategies, and increase your earning potential.

But more than that, completing an advanced degree demonstrates your passion for professional growth—the most important thing prospective employers look for in their future employees.