Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Construction Coverage.
The residential real estate sales profession is dominated by women. According to the National Association of Realtors, women have been involved in the U.S. real estate industry since its earliest days. Starting in the late 1800s, women began to move out of administrative roles and into agent and broker roles, although at a slow rate. Now nearly a century and a half later, women account for 56% of all real estate agents according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
While women make up the majority of real estate agents, they are much more likely to work part time than men. Among female real estate agents, 43% work part time. Male part-time real estate agents account for a much lower share, at just 27%. Real estate agents are paid on a commission basis (not salaried) and have flexible schedules, making the real estate sales profession much more accommodating to part-time schedules than many other jobs.
Because the real estate profession offers high earnings potential, flexible schedules for families, and a low barrier to entry, it attracts a large number of women who are looking for a career change, a second job, or coming back to the workforce after a career break. Real estate agents can often do much of their work from home and set their own hours, which is especially appealing to women with young children.
Major U.S. Metros With the Most Female Real Estate Agents
In all but 10 states, women make up the majority of real estate agents. Rhode Island claims the highest share of female real estate agents, with women accounting for 89% of total. At 82%, New Mexico also has a high share of female agents. Conversely, South Dakota and Mississippi have the lowest shares of women in real estate, at just 42.8% and 34.4%, respectively.
To find the metropolitan areas with the most female real estate agents, researchers at Construction Coverage analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Zillow. The researchers ranked metros according to the percentage of real estate agents that are women. Researchers calculated the median annual earnings for real estate agents, the concentration of real estate agents compared to the national share, and median home price. Only large metros with populations of one million or more were included in the analysis.
15. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 60.7%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $46,910
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): +22%
- Median home price: $558,513
14. Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 61.3%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $39,710
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): -2%
- Median home price: $257,144
13. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 62.4%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $36,750
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): +13%
- Median home price: $315,208
12. Richmond, VA
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 62.6%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $59,770
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): +56%
- Median home price: $313,876
11. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 63.1%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $38,340
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): -10%
- Median home price: $246,825
10. Tucson, AZ
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 63.2%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $34,850
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): +13%
- Median home price: $321,613
9. Raleigh, NC
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 63.7%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $38,530
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): -13%
- Median home price: $420,228
8. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 65.3%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $46,640
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): -7%
- Median home price: $416,647
7. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 65.4%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $48,050
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): -39%
- Median home price: $426,226
6. New Orleans-Metairie, LA
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 67.5%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $38,250
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): Average
- Median home price: $258,775
5. Oklahoma City, OK
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 69.3%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $38,350
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): +71%
- Median home price: $204,073
4. Columbus, OH
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 69.7%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $36,910
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): +44%
- Median home price: $279,883
3. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 69.8%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $44,960
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): -42%
- Median home price: $230,178
2. Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 70.5%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $38,270
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): +80%
- Median home price: $277,257
1. Rochester, NY
- Percentage of real estate agents that are female: 81.5%
- Median earnings for real estate agents: $64,800
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to average): -72%
- Median home price: $203,384
Detailed Findings & Methodology
To find the metropolitan areas with the most female real estate agents, researchers at Construction Coverage analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (ACS PUMS), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), and Zillow’s most recent Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), a measure of typical home value.
Using the ACS PUMS data, the researchers ranked metros according to the percentage of real estate agents that are female. In the event of a tie, the metro with the larger number of female real estate agents was ranked higher. Researchers calculated the median annual earnings for real estate agents and the concentration of real estate agents compared to the national share using the OEWS data. Median home price was calculated from Zillow’s ZHVI. The Census Bureau data includes both real estate sales agents and brokers while the BLS data is only for real estate sales agents. Only large metros with populations of one million or more were included in the analysis.
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