The real estate profession offers both financial and personal rewards, particularly in a thriving market like Tampa. For aspiring agents, understanding potential earnings is essential for making informed career choices. So, how much do real estate agents make in Tampa, Florida? Read on to discover average salaries (commissions), the factors that impact earnings, and how commission structures shape an agent’s income.
Key Takeaways
- Agents earn income through commissions, typically a percentage of the sale price. The average commission in Florida is 5.53%, split between buyer and seller agents and further divided with brokerages.
- Tampa’s thriving housing market, driven by population growth, job opportunities, and a favorable business climate, positions agents for significant earnings. However, rising home prices and seasonal fluctuations can impact income.
- Experience, work ethic, niche focus, and market conditions play a major role in determining an agent’s income. New agents in Tampa can still earn competitive salaries, with averages reaching $128,750 within the first few years.
Overview of the Tampa Real Estate Market
Despite challenges like hurricanes, Tampa Bay’s housing market remains resilient. In fact, Tampa recently ranked fourth among the top real estate markets to watch in 2025.
The report, produced by PwC and the Urban Land Institute, highlights Tampa-St. Petersburg’s strong population growth, favorable business climate, and job growth forecast at 2.3 times the national average are key drivers of continued demand for real estate. However, affordability concerns persist due to rising home prices (up 66% in four years) and high homeowners’ insurance costs. Despite these issues, lower business costs and falling interest rates position the region for strong real estate returns.
According to Zillow, the median home price in Tampa reached $375,818 as of December 2024. This is an important factor, as real estate agent’s commissions are typically based on a percentage of the property’s sale price.
Importance of Understanding Earnings for Prospective Agents
Understanding potential earnings is essential for anyone considering a career change. If you’re looking to become a real estate agent, it’s important to note that real estate is typically a commission-based profession. So, how much can you earn as a real estate agent in Tampa? Here’s what the latest income studies reveal.
Average Salary of Real Estate Agents in Tampa
Finding accurate data on how much real estate agents earn in a specific metro area can be challenging. Complicating matters further, many agents work part-time while holding another job, which can skew already widely varying salary figures.
Statistics on average earnings
Glassdoor reports a $217,000 per year income for Florida real estate agents, while Talent.com reports a $99,000 average income for agents.
How Do You Get Paid as a Real Estate Agent?
Real estate agents are typically paid at the closing of a real estate transaction, which occurs when all final paperwork is signed, and funds are distributed. But how is the amount determined? Here are a few factors.
Commission agreement
Real estate commissions are negotiable. The commission percentage is typically determined when the seller signs a listing agreement with their agent. This agreement outlines the agent’s role in marketing and selling the property in exchange for a specific percentage of the final sale price.
It’s worth noting that buyers must sign a buyer’s representation agreement with their agent before touring a property, specifying how the agent will be compensated. Depending on the agreement, the buyer may pay their agent representative directly. However, many buyers still ask the seller to pay their agent out of their earnings from the property as a term of the contract.
FastExpert reports that the average commission percentage in Florida is 5.53%, often divided between the buyer’s and seller’s agents.
Brokerage split
As mentioned, each agent’s earnings are further split with their brokerage. This split can vary widely depending on the agent’s experience and the terms of their brokerage contract. New agents might have a 50/50 split, while experienced agents often retain a higher percentage, such as 70/30 or 90/10.
Funds disbursed at closing
The escrow company or attorney managing the transaction at closing handles the funds. Here’s how agents are paid:
- The agreed-upon commission is typically deducted from the seller’s proceeds.
- Payment is sent to the brokerages involved in the transaction.
- Typically, each brokerage distributes the agent’s portion based on their split agreement.
How Much Does a Real Estate Agent Make Per Sale?
Let’s break down an example:
Sale Price: $375,818
Total Commission: 5.53% ($20,783)
Listing Agent’s Share: $10,391
Buyer’s Agent’s Share: $10,391
Assuming a 30% brokerage split, each agent keeps $7,274
Agents are only paid when a deal successfully closes, meaning their income is directly linked to their performance. This commission-based model motivates agents to work diligently to close deals while delivering exceptional service.
In short, while the process may appear complex, it ensures agents are fairly rewarded for managing a transaction from start to finish. The rewards can be substantial for those willing to put in the effort.
Income is an important factor when choosing a profession, but it’s not the only thing to consider. Before enrolling in real estate pre-licensing coursework for Florida, learn what it’s like being an agent to know if the field is right for you.
Factors Influencing a Real Estate Agent’s Salary
Now that you understand how real estate agents are paid, here are some of the most common factors that impact how much real estate agents earn in Tampa and the rest of the country.
- Experience: Seasoned agents typically have established networks and greater market knowledge, leading to higher earnings.
- Market conditions: A hot real estate market can increase the number of transactions and overall income potential. According to Zillow, Tampa has an optimistic one-year market forecast. Get your license quickly to take advantage of this growth.
- Work ethic: In a commission-driven field, an agent’s effort and ability to generate leads significantly influence earnings.
- Niche: Some real estate niches are more lucrative than others. While residential real estate can certainly help you earn a great income, some agents find a lot of success focusing on commercial real estate or serving members of the armed services.
Of course, several other factors, including your targeted neighborhood and the number of hours you can put into your business, affect how much you can earn in the real estate industry.
Seasonal fluctuations in sales
Tampa’s real estate market experiences seasonal shifts, with spring and summer typically seeing higher transaction volumes. These fluctuations impact agents’ monthly income. Budgets, effective savings strategies, and multiple income streams help to navigate slower months.
Earning money through your own real estate investments
One often-overlooked benefit of being a real estate agent is that you’ll have access to inside information should a good investment opportunity come your way. Your net worth may increase with savvy real estate investments.
Thanks to Tampa’s thriving housing market, real estate agents enjoy competitive earning potential. With the right approach, dedication, and understanding of the market, real estate can be a lucrative and fulfilling profession.
Learn how to get your license in Tampa with Gold Coast Schools. Gold Coast offers flexible learning options, including in-person, livestream, and at-your-own-pace online courses.