Real Estate Agent in Massachusetts

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

Median annual salary

$85,170

trending_up +51.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Massachusetts.

monitoring Stable

+3.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$116

Licensing fees

schedule

2-12 months

Time to complete

route How to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts

To become a licensed Real Estate Agent in Massachusetts, individuals must complete a 40-hour pre-licensing course and pass the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam administered by PSI. The licensing body is the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, and secure three candidate endorsements. Massachusetts offers reciprocity with several states, allowing licensed agents from those states to apply for a Massachusetts license.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $43,960

25th percentile $59,890

50th (median) $85,170

75th percentile $101,310

90th (experienced) $205,350

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

checklist Massachusetts requirements

Licensing body	Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
State license	Required
Education	40-hour pre-licensing course
Exam	Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI) ($85)
Application fee	$31
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	12.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid social security number. A background check (CORI and SORB) is required. Three candidate endorsements from non-relatives/non-classmates are also required. The initial license fee is prorated and can range from $103-$150, valid for 2-3 years until the licensee's third birthday after issuance. Salespersons must affiliate with a licensed real estate broker.

Source: Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons

workspace_premium Massachusetts license tiers

Massachusetts offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Salesperson	N/A
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_circleMassachusetts 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.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a real estate agent in Massachusetts? expand_more

To become a real estate agent in Massachusetts, you need to complete the required education (40-hour pre-licensing course), pass the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI), and submit your application ($31 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a real estate agent in Massachusetts? expand_more

A state license is required in Massachusetts. Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons handles real estate agent licensing — the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI) is part of the process.

What do real estate agents earn in Massachusetts? expand_more

real estate agents in Massachusetts earn a median of $85,170 annually. That's 51% above the national median of $56,320. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $43,960, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $205,350.

How expensive is real estate agent licensing in Massachusetts? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($85) and application fee ($31) and required training.

How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts? expand_more

Expect to spend 2-12 months from start to finish in Massachusetts — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

How many CE hours do real estate agents need in Massachusetts? expand_more

Massachusetts requires 12.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your real estate agent license.

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