Real estate agents and salespersons

About this job

Real estate agents and salespersons help with the process of buying or selling houses, apartments, commercial buildings and other real estate.

Want to learn more? Watch this WorkBC Career Trek video and see what it’s like to work in this type of career.

5:42

Real estate agent

Source: WorkBC's Career Trek

Real estate agents and salespersons may specialize in specific property types, such as residential, commercial, industrial and institutional, recreational or rural.

Time management and being able to adapt to and use technology are important skills to have in this career.

Common job titles

real estate agent / broker / dealer
real estate agent supervisor

REALTOR®
salesperson, new home

real estate agent / broker / dealer
real estate agent supervisor
REALTOR®
salesperson, new home

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$44,753

Source: 2017 Job Bank Annual Wage Data

Provincial hourly rate

High
Median
Low

N/A - Data not available

Source: 2017 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

2018 - 2023
2023 - 2028

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 7,100

2018
2023
2028

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

New jobs due to economic growth:
24.1%
1,710 openings

Replacement of retiring workers:
75.9%
5,400 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Cariboo

Employment in 2018:

200

Average annual employment growth:

1.3%

Expected number of job openings:

100

Kootenay

Employment in 2018:

330

Average annual employment growth:

0.2%

Expected number of job openings:

120

Mainland / Southwest

Employment in 2018:

14,900

Average annual employment growth:

0.8%

Expected number of job openings:

4,740

North Coast & Nechako

Employment in 2018:

50

Average annual employment growth:

0.4%

Expected number of job openings:

20

Northeast

Employment in 2018:

120

Average annual employment growth:

0.7%

Expected number of job openings:

50

Thompson-Okanagan

Employment in 2018:

1,750

Average annual employment growth:

1.2%

Expected number of job openings:

890

Vancouver Island / Coast

Employment in 2018:

2,820

Average annual employment growth:

0.9%

Expected number of job openings:

1,190

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Real estate agents and salespersons:

solicit property sales listings from prospective vendors
help vendors sell property by establishing asking price, advertising the property, listing the property and conducting open houses for prospective buyers
help prospective buyers in selecting, visiting, inspecting and making offers of purchase on real estate properties
advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements and related matters
draw up sales agreements for approval of purchaser and seller
rent or lease properties on behalf of clients

Special duties

Real estate agents and salespersons may specialize in residential, commercial, industrial/institutional or rural real estate sales.

Work environment

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

Work takes place in a conventional office setting, with time spent outdoors when going to properties.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

16,900 workers are employed

53% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

Men

Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

15 - 24 years

25 - 44 years

45 - 64 years

65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Finance, Insurance and Real Estate:

99%

View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

% employment of this occupation

% employment of all occupations

Cariboo

Kootenay

Mainland / Southwest

North Coast & Nechako

Northeast

Thompson-Okanagan

Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Completion of secondary school is required.
Completion of a real estate training course is required.
Provincial or territorial licensure in the province or territory of employment is required.

As of July 1, 2017 when the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) came into force, you will not need significant additional training, experience, testing or assessment if your qualifications or certificates are recognized by a Canadian regulatory authority. This applies whether you were trained in Canada or internationally. Learn about labour mobility at www.workersmobility.ca. For information about labour mobility and foreign qualifications recognition, contact the B.C. regulator for your occupation.

Skills

Detail-Oriented
Directive
Numerical Ability
Social
Verbal & Written Comprehension

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

Real Estate

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Career paths

Real estate agents and salespersons normally work on a commission basis.

Real estate agents may operate independently by obtaining a broker’s licence in accordance with the regulations of the province of employment. A broker’s licence is required to become a manager in real estate.

Additional resources

British Columbia Real Estate Association – Member Boards
www.bcrea.bc.ca/about/member-boards
British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA)
www.bcrea.bc.ca
Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)
www.crea.ca/organization

Real estate agents and salespersons (NOC 6232)

About this job

Real estate agent

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

Provincial hourly rate

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

Job openings

Composition of job openings

Regional outlook

Duties

Special duties

Work environment

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

Employment by gender

Employment by age group

Labour force by industry

Employment by region

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Skills

Education programs in B.C.

Related careers

Career paths and resources

General Manager, Property Management (Shopping Centre)