Occupation is in demand.
Pay varies with the type and location of the property and the agent's abilities. Real estate agents earn commissions on sales rather than a salary. Their commissions range from six to ten percent of the property price. Real estate agents are not paid until after the sale closes. Closing a sale can take several months after the seller accepts the buyer's offer. For that reason, beginning real estate agents need enough money to support themselves for at least six months.
Commissions may be divided among several agents and brokers. The broker and the agent in the firm who list the property share part of the commission. In addition, the broker and the agent in the firm who sell the property receive part of the commission. An agent's share varies from firm to firm. In general, it is about half of the amount received by the firm. Agents who both list and sell a property make a higher commission.
Most real estate agents do not receive benefits such as health insurance and a retirement plan. They must provide these benefits for themselves.
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $13.92 | $18.41 | $24.09 |
| Yearly | $28,961 | $38,308 | $50,118 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $16.35 | $17.59 | $22.91 |
| Yearly | $34,021 | $36,586 | $47,668 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $14.51 | $19.22 | $22.53 |
| Yearly | $30,196 | $39,977 | $46,852 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $13.58 | $18.28 | $25.21 |
| Yearly | $28,251 | $38,013 | $52,435 | |
| Decatur Area | Hourly | $15.32 | $21.87 | $23.63 |
| Yearly | $31,869 | $45,480 | $49,152 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $21.46 | $22.43 | $22.49 |
| Yearly | $44,653 | $46,650 | $46,773 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $18.76 | $21.08 | $28.35 |
| Yearly | $39,038 | $43,854 | $58,975 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $12.41 | $18.28 | $24.09 |
| Yearly | $25,819 | $38,011 | $50,118 | |
| Mt. Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $14.63 | $18.02 | $21.53 |
| Yearly | $30,427 | $37,474 | $44,770 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $18.56 | $22.53 | $22.53 |
| Yearly | $38,600 | $46,852 | $46,852 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $14.81 | $18.14 | $22.63 |
| Yearly | $30,817 | $37,743 | $47,072 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $17.59 | $20.69 | $22.00 |
| Yearly | $36,577 | $43,032 | $45,763 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $21.25 | $34.43 | $42.60 |
| Yearly | $44,195 | $71,604 | $88,602 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $16.19 | $21.33 | $23.36 |
| Yearly | $33,672 | $44,369 | $48,581 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $16.88 | $20.69 | $23.94 |
| Yearly | $35,117 | $43,034 | $49,785 | |
| St. Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $22.17 | $22.43 | $22.49 |
| Yearly | $46,109 | $46,650 | $46,773 | |
| United States | Hourly | $17.35 | $24.03 | $37.62 |
| Yearly | $36,090 | $49,980 | $78,240 | |