Most licensed real estate professionals work entirely on commission instead of a regular salary. That’s why many agents choose to test the waters by working part-time in real estate while holding onto a steady income from another job.
Some people pursue a career in real estate to avoid the traditional 40-hour workweek. Working as a real estate agent can be a profitable part-time job. It’s an appealing option for retirees, stay-at-home parents, or anyone prioritizing work-life balance. Earning a part-time income in real estate is a flexible way to balance work, family, and personal commitments.
How much can you earn by committing less than 20 hours a week to your real estate business? While results vary, we have the data to show your potential earnings.
Key Takeaways
- Hours Drive Earnings: There is a direct correlation between time invested and income, though success is possible with limited hours.
- Modest Starts Are Normal: The majority of new agents who work fewer than 20 hours per week report earning under $25,000 annually.
- Consistency is Key: Agents who consistently dedicate time each week see steady growth in earnings over time.
- Training Pays Off: Those who invest in learning and professional development tend to achieve higher success rates in the long run.
How Much is a Part-Time Real Estate Agent Salary?
Agents generally work on commission, meaning your income depends entirely on your location, niche, and skill level. However, recent data sheds light on what you can realistically expect based on the hours you invest.
According to a 2025 survey of McKissock Learning students, here’s how the part-time real estate agent salary breaks down by hours worked:
- Less than 20 Hours Per Week: Most part-time agents earn modest incomes, with 57% reporting less than $25,000 and 29% earning between $25,000–$49,000. However, a small 14% achieve $200,000+, showing that high-level success can still happen with limited hours.
- 20-39 Hours Per Week: As hours increase, earnings begin to shift. Nearly three in four earn under $50,000, while 28% fall between $50,000 and $99,000, highlighting the transition from part-time to steadier mid-tier earnings.
The payoff of full-time effort
While part-time work offers flexibility, the survey highlights the financial benefits of increasing your commitment:
- 40-50 hours per week: Incomes spread across every bracket, from less than $25,000 (13%) to $200,000+ (13%), with the largest share (25%) earning $50,000–$74,000.
- 50-59 hours per week: Earnings stabilize significantly here. One-third earn $50,000–$74,000, one-third $75,000–$99,000, and one-third $200,000+, underscoring the payoff of increased effort.
- 60 hours per week+: Dedication pays off. Every surveyed alumni in this group reported earning $200,000 or more.
How much can you earn by committing less than 20 hours a week to your real estate business? While results vary, we have the data to show your potential earnings.
Real Estate is Often a Second Career
For many, real estate is a second career; only 5% of REALTORS® surveyed reported it was their first. Previous careers ranged from management and finance to sales and retail, making it a common entry point for professionals from various backgrounds.
Retired REALTOR® Lee Dworshak, who started in the business at age 53, believes agents are more successful when they come into the field with solid business skills. Certain fields lend themselves to being agents or offer the flexibility to take on real estate as a side job.
Tips for Finding Time for Part-Time Real Estate
Whether you’re looking into real estate career opportunities for a second job or a brand-new career, juggling a schedule can be a struggle. Valorie Easter, a REALTOR® in Charlottesville, VA, worked part-time for two years while her children were young.
Here are her tips for effectively managing a part-time real estate agent salary:
- Dedicate Time for Leads: Set aside two hours a day specifically for lead generation.
- Master your Schedule: Control your time with time blocking so you can stick to your schedule.
- Set Boundaries: Set clear expectations upfront about your availability with clients.
- Get a Coach: Work with a coach to map out your business strategy.
- Network with Vendors: Meet with and learn from service providers, including loan officers, title companies, attorneys, home warranty professionals, and insurance companies.
- Build a Directory: Create a concierge list of real estate professionals, such as builders and plumbers.
- Lean on a Team: Join a real estate team that can handle administrative work.
“If you work part-time you need to focus on generating business or going on appointments. Paperwork is not necessarily a money-maker,” Easter says.
Dworshak agrees, noting that working with an established team and an administrative assistant is crucial to a new agent’s success. “If you’re unavailable, your team member can make the appointment,” he said.
Alternative Income: The Referral Network
For those who don’t want to “hit the pavement” daily, Easter recommends another method for earning a part-time real estate agent salary.
“Create a referral network. Refer buyers and sellers out to other agents locally and across the country,” she suggests. “You can ask for a 25 to 30 percent or more referral fee when the property closes. You really can control your time and costs with referrals.”
Commit to Your Career Growth
Whether you are working 15 hours a week or 60, continuing education shouldn’t just be about meeting requirements. It should be about helping you grow.
With a McKissock Real Estate CE Membership, you gain unlimited access to state-approved CE courses, Learning Snacks to master topics quickly, and career-advancing Professional Certification Programs. It is your all-access pass, designed to help you stay competitive and maximize your earning potential.
Ready to level up your career? Get started with a McKissock Membership today.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only, based on a September 2025 survey of McKissock students and publicly available industry sources. While Colibri Real Estate School strives for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, reliability, or applicability of the information. Earnings and outcomes vary widely based on factors like location, experience, and market conditions and should not be considered guarantees. This guide does not constitute professional advice. Users should consult additional sources for personalized guidance.
