Real Estate Agents and Salespersons

(NOC 6232)

in All Sales and Service

Real estate agents and salespersons act as agents for the sale or purchase of houses, apartments, commercial buildings, land, and other real estate and are employed in the real estate industry. They may specialize in residential, commercial, industrial/institutional, or rural real estate sales.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 280 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$24,094

Median

$81,779

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Real estate agents and salespersons act as agents for the sale or purchase of houses, apartments, commercial buildings, land, and other real estate and are employed in the real estate industry. They may specialize in residential, commercial, industrial/institutional, or rural real estate sales.

Job duties

Real estate agents and salespersons:

  • Solicit property sales listings from prospective vendors.
  • Help vendors in selling property by establishing asking price, advertising the property, listing the property with listing services and conducting open houses for prospective buyers.
  • Help prospective buyers in selecting, visiting, inspecting, and making offers of purchase on real estate properties.
  • Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements, and related matters.
  • Draw up sales agreements for approval of purchaser and seller.
  • May rent or lease properties on behalf of clients.

Sample job titles

  • real estate agent
  • real estate broker
  • real estate dealer
  • real estate sales consultant
  • real estate sales representative
  • real estate sales supervisor
  • real estate salesperson

Skills

  • You need excellent communication and negotiation skills. The ability to analyze complex information accurately and quickly is necessary for decision-making. Computer skills would be a definite asset.

Job requirements

  • High school is required.
  • A real estate training course is required.
  • Licensure in the province or territory of employment is required.

Other considerations

  • Real estate agents and salespersons normally work on a commission basis. Real estate agents may operate independently by obtaining a broker's licence in accordance with the regulations of the province of employment. A broker's licence is required to become a manager in real estate.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,505

employed in 2016

81.3%

employed full-time

31.0%

self employed

49.3%
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50.7%
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53.4

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
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39.9%
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37

median age

Where will I likely work?

65.8%

Halifax

$22,601 median annual income
11.3%

Annapolis Valley

$28,334 median annual income
8.6%

Southern

$25,893 median annual income
7.6%

North Shore

$45,027 median annual income
6.6%

Cape Breton

$24,391 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

99.3%

Real estate and rental and leasing

0.7%

Educational services

What is the age of Employment?

27.0%

55-64

24.0%

45-54

20.0%

65+

16.0%

35-44

11.0%

25-34

2.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

28.3%

High school

$21,860 median annual income
28.0%

Bachelor

$32,802 median annual income
26.0%

College Diploma

$22,255 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$25,325 median annual income
4.3%

Master

N/A

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Real Estate Agent

Right to Practice: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission
Dartmouth, NS

Contacts

Real Estate Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia, Canada

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.