Making a career change can feel daunting, no matter your stage in life. However, if you’re considering a switch to real estate, it’s worth noting that most agents obtain their licenses after working in a different industry. A recent survey on real estate agent demographics has uncovered some compelling information that may ease your concerns about transitioning careers.
Here’s a breakdown of what characterizes individuals aiming to become real estate agents in Florida. Our data, collected at the end of 2023, reveals that new agents come from a range of age groups and educational backgrounds.
Key Takeaways
- People of all ages enter real estate. Many come from varied educational backgrounds, with 31% holding a bachelor’s degree and 25% having some college education without a degree.
- Most new real estate students come from industries outside of real estate, with 13% transitioning from healthcare. Most have no prior experience in the field before pursuing their licenses.
- Real estate agents report high job satisfaction. In fact, 73% are certain they will stay in the industry for at least two more years, and 51% rely on real estate as their primary household income source.
- People are drawn to real estate for its income potential, flexibility, and the opportunity to be their own boss, making it a popular career switch option.
Overview of Current Real Estate Agents’ Career Outlook and Job Satisfaction
Before diving into the survey results for those pivoting to real estate, let’s review the career outlook for active, experienced agents, as provided by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
According to the 2024 NAR Member Profile Highlights, 73% of respondents were certain (and 19% somewhat certain) that they would remain active in the real estate profession for the next two years.
Additionally, 75% of those surveyed stated real estate was their primary occupation, with 51% indicating that real estate earnings were the primary income source for their household.
This data underscores that real estate agent job satisfaction remains high, even amidst recent changes brought on by the NAR lawsuit settlement.
Survey Overview of Prospective Real Estate Agents in Florida
A survey conducted in November 2023 among individuals who purchased or planned to purchase a real estate education program reveals that a broad range of age groups and career backgrounds are interested in entering the profession.
New Real Estate Agent Demographics in Florida
Here’s what we learned about aspiring real estate agents in Florida:
You’ll learn everything you need to know to succeed in real estate from pre-licensing courses and on-the-job training.
The majority of real estate students maintain full-time jobs, but only 20% are currently working in real estate in a role that doesn’t require a license. Interestingly, 13% of those exploring a career switch come from the healthcare industry.
You don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent. However, you do need to complete a 63-hour course. Please note: The 63 hours are not college credit hours. Your qualifying education can be completed in person, through a livestream class, or at your own pace online.
You’re not too young or too old for real estate! Agents from many different age groups find success in the field.
Real Estate Career Plans
Many prospective or newly licensed real estate agents are uncertain whether they’ll pursue real estate as their sole source of income. Real estate can be a profitable part-time venture since much of the work can be done evenings and weekends. Download our free Florida salary guide to learn how part-time real estate agents’ earnings compare to those of full-time agents.
Reasons Why People Want to Earn a Florida Real Estate License
Why do current agents report high career satisfaction? What motivates Floridians to leave other industries and enroll in Florida real estate classes? According to our report, the top reasons include:
- Income potential (Check out the average first-year salary!)
- Flexibility
- Opportunity to be their own boss
- Love for homes
- Desire to help others
- Boost in career satisfaction
Why do you want to become a real estate agent in Florida?
Whatever your reasons, you get your license quickly by taking online real estate courses through Gold Coast Schools.