Key takeaways:

  • NYC real estate agents earn an average of $113,500 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but actual incomes vary widely. This is higher than national estimated averages for real estate agents.
  • Agents tend to be independent contractors, not salaried employees. This means they’re responsible for paying the full 15.3% self-employment tax, rather than having an employer cover half of these taxes.
  • Unlike many salaried employees, agents usually have to cover their own health insurance, retirement savings, and paid family leave, as brokerages typically don’t provide these benefits.
  • Having a successful, well-paying career in NYC real estate is possible, and scores of agents who’ve done so are living proof.
  • Though income can fluctuate, there’s no ceiling on the amount of money you can make as an agent, and many find this appealing in and of itself.

The agents on Million Dollar Listing New York close deals left and right, own multi-million dollar homes, and boast closets full of designer suits. While that lifestyle sounds great to all of us, many hard-working agents will confirm: real estate isn’t an easy path toward fast cash. So, how much does the average real estate agent make in NYC? 

Here, we take a look at what the numbers say. And if you’re a current or aspiring agent, don’t be discouraged — we’ve also got some valuable tips for making it as a real estate professional in the city that plays hard and works even harder.

What’s the average real estate agent salary in NYC?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average real estate agent salary in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area was $113,500 as of May 2025. By contrast, Glassdoor pegs the base salary range for an NYC real estate agent at $89K – $158K, and with additional cash compensation, that range is closer to $150K – $274K. If those figures are disappointing, keep in mind that Glassdoor also estimates the national base pay range for real estate agents at $77K – $131K.

How the tax code impacts real estate agent salaries

Many agents are not actually salaried. In practice, they are essentially self-employed, aka independent contractors. As such, they face a higher tax burden to cover their Social Security and Medicare contributions. According to the IRS, the self-employed tax rate is 15.3%, with 12.4% of gross income going toward Social Security and 2.9% toward Medicare. That’s double the 7.65% rate traditionally salaried employees pay.

Healthcare, retirement, and paid time off for real estate agents

As an independent contractor, many agents miss out on the benefits that some salaried employees receive. Before joining a brokerage, agents should check to see if the firm offers group health insurance plans or access to a retirement plan. Otherwise, agents must purchase their own healthcare on the New York State exchange, and set up their own retirement plan through a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) or an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) account.

Also, brokerages typically do not offer paid time off or sick days. Some firms allow agents to earn paid vacation time by hitting sales goals or winning sales competitions. Independent contractors can voluntarily opt in to purchase New York Paid Family Leave and disability insurance policies (under the governing law, you’re required to purchase a policy for both; you cannot opt in for Paid Family Leave alone). Aside from that, many agents will have to make room in their schedule and budget for time away from work without pay.

Building a successful, well-paying career in NYC real estate is possible

The upside to working as a real estate agent, which is largely a commission-based endeavor, is there’s no ceiling on the amount of money you can make. Many agents find this appealing in and of itself. Building a successful, high-paying business for yourself — or one that comfortably pays the bills — is possible, and scores of NYC agents who’ve done so are living proof. 

At our StreetEasy® Skylines event on June 2, hundreds of NYC real estate professionals gathered to share and receive practical insights from top-performing agents. Key takeaways included market clarity being a business advantage and the importance of systems like “speed to lead” and consistent follow-up, strengthening your personal brand, and connecting with like-minded industry peers. StreetEasy Senior Economist Kenny Lee also shared his 2026 market outlook for NYC agents, backed by StreetEasy’s 20 years of comprehensive local NYC market data. 

And as always, StreetEasy offers a comprehensive suite of tools and programs for agents designed to help you maximize exposure, insights, lead generation, and brand-building.