Real Estate Agent in Washington

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

Median annual salary

$76,980

trending_up +36.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Washington.

engineering

5,470

Jobs (WA)

monitoring Stable

+3.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$284

Licensing fees

schedule

4-8 weeks for education, plus exam and application processing

Time to complete

route How to become a real estate agent in Washington

To become a Real Estate Broker in Washington, candidates must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent. The process involves completing 90 hours of approved pre-licensing education, passing the Washington Real Estate Broker Exam, and submitting fingerprints for a background check. While Washington does not have formal reciprocity, licensed out-of-state agents may be able to waive some education and exam requirements, but must still pass the state-specific exam and complete a background check. The licensing body is the Washington State Department of Licensing.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $47,660

25th percentile $60,440

50th (median) $76,980

75th percentile $97,730

90th (experienced) $128,470

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

checklist Washington requirements

Licensing body	Washington State Department of Licensing
State license	Required
Education	90-hour pre-licensing course
Exam	Washington Real Estate Broker Exam (PSI/AMP) ($138)
Application fee	$146
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Washington's entry-level license is 'Broker'. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. A fingerprint-based background check is required and must be renewed every 6 years. For the first renewal, 90 hours of continuing education are required, including specific courses like Advanced Practices, Real Estate Law, and Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate. Subsequent renewals require 30 hours of continuing education, including a 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate course and a 3-hour Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course.

Source: Washington State Department of Licensing

workspace_premium Washington license tiers

Washington 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_circleWashington 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 are the steps to becoming a real estate agent in Washington? expand_more

Washington requires real estate agents to complete the required education (90-hour pre-licensing course), pass the Washington Real Estate Broker Exam (PSI/AMP), and submit your application ($146 fee).

Is a real estate agent license required in Washington? expand_more

Yes, Washington requires a state license to practice as a real estate agent. The licensing body is Washington State Department of Licensing. You must pass the Washington Real Estate Broker Exam (PSI/AMP).

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

real estate agents in Washington earn a median of $76,980 annually. — 37% higher than the $56,320 national figure. Wages range from $47,660 (10th percentile) up to $128,470 (90th percentile).

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

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($138) and application fee ($146) plus your education and training.

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

The typical timeline in Washington is 4-8 weeks for education, plus exam and application processing. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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

Yes — real estate agents in Washington must complete 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.