Real Estate Agent in New York

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

Median annual salary

$97,440

trending_up +73.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New York.

engineering

10,040

Jobs (NY)

monitoring Stable

+3.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$70

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 weeks (application processing) + course time

Time to complete

route How to become a real estate agent in New York

To become a licensed Real Estate Agent in New York, individuals must complete a 77-hour pre-licensing course and pass the New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam. The licensing body is the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, obtain sponsorship from a licensed New York State real estate broker, and undergo a background check. While New York does not have full reciprocity, it offers mutual recognition with several states, allowing some education requirements to be waived for eligible out-of-state licensees.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,810

25th percentile $52,000

50th (median) $97,440

75th percentile $129,050

90th (experienced) $168,590

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

checklist New York requirements

Licensing body	New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
State license	Required
Education	77-hour pre-licensing course
Exam	New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam ($15)
Application fee	$55
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	22.5 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Must be sponsored by a licensed NYS real estate broker. A background check (fingerprinting) is required. The 77-hour pre-licensing course and 30-hour remedial course are only valid for 8 years to obtain a license; once applied, they do not expire for upgrade purposes.

Source: New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services

workspace_premium New York license tiers

New York offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Salesperson	N/A
Associate Broker	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_circleNew York 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

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

In New York, becoming a real estate agent requires you to complete the required education (77-hour pre-licensing course), pass the New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam, and submit your application ($55 fee).

Does New York require real estate agent licensure? expand_more

New York mandates state licensure for real estate agents. New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services oversees the process, which includes passing the New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam.

How much do real estate agents make in New York? expand_more

New York real estate agents bring home a median salary of $97,440. — 73% higher than the $56,320 national figure. The range spans from $35,810 at the entry level to $168,590 for top earners.

How expensive is real estate agent licensing in New York? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($15) and application fee ($55). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

What's the timeline to become a real estate agent in New York? expand_more

Expect to spend 2-4 weeks (application processing) + course time from start to finish in New York — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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

New York requires 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your real estate agent license.