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Real estate agent

Also called realtor, realtors, estate agent

Real estate agents administer the sales or letting process of residential, commercial properties or land on behalf of their clients. They investigate the property's condition and assess its value in order to offer the best price to their clients. They negotiate, compose a sales contract or a rental contract and liaise with third parties in order to realize the stated objectives during transactions. They undertake research to determine the legality of a property sale before it is sold and make sure the transaction is not subject to any disputes or restrictions.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects25 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Business and administration associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,300 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Business and administration associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree5 in 10 have a degree.Business and administration associate professionalsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Real estate agents and property managers · ILO

What you'd do

Real estate agents and property managers · ILO
  • Obtaining information about properties to be sold or leased, the circumstances of their owner and the needs of prospective buyers or tenants
  • Showing properties to be sold or leased to prospective buyers or tenants and explaining terms of sale or conditions of rent or lease
  • Facilitating negotiations with tenants and owners on rents and fees
  • Drawing up leasing and sale agreements and estimating costs
  • Arranging signing of lease agreements and transfer of property rights
  • Collecting rent and bond monies on behalf of owner and inspecting properties before, during and after tenancies
  • Ensuring the availability of workers to perform maintenance of the properties
Provide information on propertiesAdvise on property valueInform on renting agreementsPerform property market researchCompare property values+ 9 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Mostly outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Varied tasks, little repetition
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Real Estate Sales Agents"

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as business and administration associate professionals in the EU
13.29m14.1m14.28m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
55,000 new jobs 3,460,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Business and administration associate professionals25
All jobs29
Right now
3 of 27 countries report a shortage of real estate agents and property managers, 10 a surplus.
Real estate agents and property managers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,300 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in law is the usual route.

Highest qualification of business and administration associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 51%Vocational 31%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 6%
Field that teaches it
Law
Vocational route, EU
Fewer than 1 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.35 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Drawing up leasing and sale agreements and estimating costs0.46
Collecting rent and bond monies on behalf of owner and inspecting properties before, during and after tenancies0.44
Arranging signing of lease agreements and transfer of property rights0.39
Obtaining information about properties to be sold or leased, the circumstances of their owner and the needs of prospective buyers or tenants0.36
Showing properties to be sold or leased to prospective buyers or tenants and explaining terms of sale or conditions of rent or lease0.33
Facilitating negotiations with tenants and owners on rents and fees0.29
Ensuring the availability of workers to perform maintenance of the properties0.20

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for real estate agents and property managers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).