Real Estate Agent in Texas

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

Median annual salary

$50,150

trending_down -11.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.

engineering

21,270

Jobs (TX)

monitoring Stable

+3.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$248

Licensing fees

schedule

4-6 months

Time to complete

route How to become a real estate agent in Texas

To become a licensed Real Estate Agent in Texas, individuals must complete 180 hours of approved pre-licensing education, pass the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam, and submit an application to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, and pass a background check. Texas does not offer reciprocity with other states, meaning all applicants must fulfill the state's specific licensing requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $31,150

25th percentile $37,120

50th (median) $50,150

75th percentile $84,040

90th (experienced) $136,250

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

checklist Texas requirements

Licensing body	Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)
State license	Required
Education	180-hour pre-licensing course
Exam	Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam (Pearson VUE) ($43)
Application fee	$205
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	18.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien. A background check and fingerprints are required. A 90-hour Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE) course is required for the first renewal, in addition to 8 hours of Legal Update I & II. If designated as a supervisor, a 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course is also required for the first renewal. For subsequent renewals, 18 hours of CE are required, including 4 hours of Legal Update I, 4 hours of Legal Update II, and 3 hours of contract-related coursework.

Source: Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)

workspace_premium Texas license tiers

Texas offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Sales Agent	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_circleTexas 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 Texas? expand_more

Texas requires real estate agents to complete the required education (180-hour pre-licensing course), pass the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam (Pearson VUE), and submit your application ($205 fee).

Does Texas require real estate agent licensure? expand_more

A state license is required in Texas. Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) handles real estate agent licensing — the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam (Pearson VUE) is part of the process.

What do real estate agents earn in Texas? expand_more

Texas real estate agents bring home a median salary of $50,150. That's 11% below the national median of $56,320. Wages range from $31,150 (10th percentile) up to $136,250 (90th percentile).

What are the fees to become a real estate agent in Texas? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($43) and application fee ($205) and required training.

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

The typical timeline in Texas is 4-6 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 Texas? expand_more

Yes — real estate agents in Texas must complete 18.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.