Best Paying Jobs in Real Estate [With 5 Job Search Platforms & More]

Real estate is one of the few career paths that offer flexibility and high-income potential.

A record number of real estate licenses were issued between January 2021-2022 as people switched to pursue jobs in real estate.

More than 44 million Americans have a side hustle, and the real estate industry is a popular choice that allows customization basis the gig workers’ current needs and goals.

Becoming a real estate agent or broker is relatively easy compared to micro entrepreneur careers. The perks include autonomy, networking, and guiding clients through milestones.

However, building a successful real estate career can require more work than anticipated, whether as a consultant or residential property manager.

Let’s explore the opportunities the real estate market offers, career paths in this sector, and the best paying jobs in real estate many side gig platforms offer.

Why You Should Consider a Real Estate Job

Real estate careers offer high-paying jobs for side income enthusiasts in the property market.

The median salary of real estate agents stood at $48,340 in 2021. Jobs in this field are estimated to grow by 5% by 2031, with 54,800 openings per year.

There will be continued demand for independent real estate agents and brokers as customers may relocate, buy new homes, or purchase property for investment.

Like any other profession, real estate positions offer high pay for candidates with experience.

Specialized professionals, like commercial real estate agents, who exclusively cater to industrial properties may earn more than those who work in residential areas.

As a real estate broker or agent, actively network to identify opportunities among home buyers and property owners.

Remember, brokers are usually qualified to manage a brokerage firm with several agents.

Types of Best Paying Jobs in Real Estate

Here are the best-paying jobs in real estate ensuring a high earning potential for side gig workers:

Work with Real Estate Investment Trusts

It’s best to work with real estate investment trusts (REIT) that own, operate, and manage a portfolio of properties like hotels, shopping malls, medical facilities, and apartment complexes.

Some real estate investment trusts also raise investor financing. Real estate investors in a REIT are responsible for finding suitable properties, buying, improving them, to sell for a profit.

Here are some jobs offered within REITs:

• Real Estate Broker: Real estate brokers help clients purchase and lease properties, earning a commission for each transaction. A real estate broker is a step up from a real estate agent. Many start as real estate agents but then get their broker’s license to own their company or employ real estate agents themselves.
• Real Estate Attorneys: They are licensed to manage legal responsibilities for buyers and sellers throughout transactions. It’s one of the best-paying jobs in the field and can potentially evolve into partnership roles at a property firm.
• Property Management: Property management entails the vital responsibilities of tenant screening, property maintenance, and duties for collecting rent as well. As a result, property managers must be available on-call and are accountable for ensuring tenant satisfaction.
• Real Estate Developer: Such property experts require significant funds for land acquisition and constructing retail, office, or medical facilities. Developers oversee the entire process until completion, including staging properties for profitable sales. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, real estate managers — a broader category for developers — earn $70,030 annually.
• Real Estate Appraisers: The real estate appraiser‘s job is to determine a property’s fair market value to ensure it’s a good purchase before adding it to the REIT. It requires traveling to visit new properties regularly to compare nearby property values. As per Indeed’s May 2023 reports, appraisers can earn an average salary of $63,987 annually.

Careers associated with the financial aspects of the industry encompass roles like mortgage broker and escrow officers who enable loan processing and oversee the transaction process.

Top 5 Platforms to Find Real Estate Jobs

These top platforms serve as valuable resources for side income seekers to explore opportunities within the real estate industry:

1. SelectLeaders: Our Pick

SelectLeaders stands as a strong platform for property gigs and networking with industry professionals. Access a string of part-time and full-time jobs across property maintenance and pitching roles.

Their collaborations with premium real estate organizations enable you to pocket more than the average annual salary of other side-income gigs.

PROS

• Aspirants can discover internships within the industry.
• Employers gain direct access to candidate resumes to facilitate shortlisting.
• Employers favor this site for large-scale hiring and filling leadership roles.

CONS

• Long screening process to select and share profiles of top-tier professionals with employers.

2. A.CRE Jobs: Runner Up

Make your mark in the commercial real estate industry by applying for property gigs on Adventures In CRE’s platform.

Their keyword search engine is strong enough to suggest multiple property projects with high relevancy to your preferred role.

Whether for raising capital, debt origination, or property portfolio management gigs, A.CRE presents a plethora of real estate jobs.

Side income earners can apply for analyst, executive assistant, or senior property manager roles, translating to a high-value side income.

PROS

• Specializes in catering to the global commercial real estate industry.
• Employers have access to extensive candidate resume databases.
• Candidates can explore featured ‘Jobs of the Week’ through the platform’s weekly blog.

CONS

• Doesn’t offer advanced candidate-matching tools for employers.

3. Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)

The platform supports the career path of property experts through highly-valued certifications and networking mediums.

Whether you’re experienced in real estate projects or not, expect a one-stop shop for education and end-to-end job support in the industry.

IREM’s extended education-supporting architecture guides side income earners to serve as valuable assets for property investors, managers, and industrial real estate developers.

What’s best, their job board is frequently refreshed to put forth vacant property roles in demand by employers.

If you’re familiar with accounting, try looking at gigs for handling real estate transactions or asset management.

PROS

• Job board features internships for newcomers in the industry.
• Job seekers can access comprehensive profiles of employers to explore and analyze.
• IREM provides resources and training for real estate professionals.

CONS

• A superior option for exploring only niche-relevant positions, including roles like housing bond administrator, attorney, mortgage loan officer, etc.

4. EstateJobs

With features for targeted search and expert job board tools helping candidates, EstateJobs is labeled as a go-to meeting place for property service professionals and private employers hiring for many real estate jobs.

You can find domestic agencies offering projects for the financial side of the field or interact with corporate real estate experts for side gigs.

Their no-cost services allow unlimited usage of free resources to support your property job hunt.

Gain complete control over your profile, and limit access to employers or agents for better job acquisition chances.

PROS

• Research job listings split between the agency and private employee positions.
• Job seekers receive relevant job ads directly in their inboxes.
• Automate how you monitor correspondence across applications.

CONS

• Access to exclusive job postings from employers necessitates signing up on the platform.

5. Indeed

Though Indeed doesn’t specialize in jobs specific to real estate investments or real estate law, their high-quality postings show a high candidate-to-employee conversion ratio.

Expect gigs for a compliance specialist position or more on-site management roles in abundance.

The platform presents high-accuracy location and job type filters to provide relevant listings.

PROS

• Features built-in skill assessments and ‘deal breaker’ questions, simplifying prioritizing suitable positions.
• Company profiles seamlessly integrate with respective career pages, enhancing the browsing experience for job opportunities.
• With the Indeed App accessible on mobile devices, job seekers can conveniently conduct remote searches.

CONS

• On the platform, job posts undergo regular updates. Older postings are removed or replaced every 45 days and require regular check-ins.

What You’ll Need to Start a Job in Real Estate

When starting in the real estate industry, candidates should be at least 18 years old and possess a college degree or bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or law.

Real estate agents must obtain a real estate license and complete pre-licensing education.

Also, license maintenance mandates ongoing participation in continuing education programs every two years.

Aspiring real estate brokers start as sales agents, requiring one to three years of experience and a few supplementary courses.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, real estate brokers earn an average annual salary of $86,490.

While some brokers are self-employed, many manage a real estate office or work under franchise agreements.

A residential property manager only needs pre-license training to start in the field, but commercial real estate agents need a degree in business, finance, or a related field.

Realtors hold licenses to facilitate transactions involving residential and commercial properties.

It’s mandatory to be an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), adhering to local regulations preferred by most buyers and sellers.

Real estate appraisers also require a college degree and background in the industry. Obtaining the necessary licensure is essential as they help assess and determine property values.

The real estate market is volatile and dynamic, and agents must stay updated on emerging trends and ever-changing laws and regulations.

Tips to Succeed at Real Estate Jobs

Given below are tips that’ll help you succeed in a property job as a fresher:

• Develop a Strong Network: Attend industry events to increase your chances of tapping into high-paying side gig roles. Some examples include convincing potential buyers to complete purchases or managing a firm’s financial records.
• Gain Relevant Experience: When starting, seek internships, part-time positions, or volunteer roles in the real estate business. Gain practical on-site experience for a competitive edge.
• Specialize in a Niche: Focus on developing expertise in a specific niche. You can choose commercial property, luxury homes, or property development. Specialization can make you a sought-after candidate for high-paying roles.
• Demonstrate Strong Sales Skills: This business is a sales-driven industry. Showcase your ability to generate leads, negotiate property deals, and close sales to be on the radar of potential employers.
• Stay Updated on Market Trends: Be knowledgeable about the current market conditions, emerging trends, and opportunities in the real estate sector. Employers value candidates who can navigate market dynamics effectively.

Similar Jobs Relevant to the Real Estate Industry

Here are more pathways to earning money through jobs that co-relate to the real estate agency:

• How to Become a Notary: Completing notaries is an uncommon side hustle with an earning potential of $500-$1000 a month, making it a great second job. Access the application process on the Secretary of State’s website and complete three to six hours of education to get started.
• How to Become a Real Estate Agent: Not only can realtors earn pretty impressive salaries, but becoming one is pretty simple. This guide will walk you through all the necessary steps to become a successful real estate agent.
• Become a Digital Real Estate Investor: Digital investors are responsible for researching and analyzing potential investment opportunities in digital real estate. Some examples of such digital properties include social media accounts, URLs, domain names, NFTs, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The real estate industry offers an exhilarating work environment, attracting individuals seeking a dynamic career.

Although most agents do not earn a six-figure salary, the real estate field can yield lucrative financial outcomes with the right network and analytical skills.

Exploring dedicated job search websites offers insights into industry trends and pay scales.

Flexibility is paramount for real estate agents, as most agents often work on weekends and spend substantial time away from their desks.

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