Real Estate Agent in Illinois

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$51,210

trending_down -9.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.

engineering

4,220

Jobs (IL)

monitoring Stable

+3.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$208

Licensing fees

schedule

3-5 months

Time to complete

route How to become a real estate agent in Illinois

To become a licensed Real Estate Broker in Illinois, individuals must complete 75 hours of IDFPR-approved pre-licensing education, which includes 60 hours of real estate topics and 15 hours of applied real estate principles. After completing the education, applicants must pass the Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam administered by PSI. Finally, candidates need to apply for their license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), pay the $150 application fee, undergo a background check, and secure sponsorship from a managing broker. New brokers must also complete a 45-hour post-license course before their first renewal.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $34,340

25th percentile $40,280

50th (median) $51,210

75th percentile $65,240

90th (experienced) $85,440

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Illinois. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Illinois requirements

Licensing body	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
State license	Required
Education	75-hour pre-licensing course
Exam	Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam (PSI) ($58)
Application fee	$150
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	12.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Illinois's entry-level license is called a 'Broker'. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. A 45-hour post-license course is required before the first renewal. All applicants must undergo a background check and obtain sponsorship from a managing broker.

Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

workspace_premium Illinois license tiers

Illinois offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Broker	N/A
Managing Broker	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+3.1%

Average

Annual openings

36,600

Nationwide per year

Total employment

420,900

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 0.86/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleIllinois license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a real estate agent career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a real estate agent in Illinois? expand_more

The path to real estate agent licensure in Illinois: complete the required education (75-hour pre-licensing course), pass the Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam (PSI), and submit your application ($150 fee).

Does Illinois require real estate agent licensure? expand_more

Illinois mandates state licensure for real estate agents. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees the process, which includes passing the Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam (PSI).

How much does a real estate agent make in Illinois? expand_more

real estate agents in Illinois earn a median of $51,210 annually. That's 9% below the national median of $56,320. New real estate agents start around $34,340; seasoned professionals can reach $85,440.

How expensive is real estate agent licensing in Illinois? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($58) and application fee ($150). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

How many months or years does real estate agent certification take in Illinois? expand_more

The typical timeline in Illinois is 3-5 months. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a real estate agent license in Illinois? expand_more

To keep your license active, Illinois mandates 12.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.