Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Construction site coverage.
The profession of residential real estate salesman is dominated by women. According to the National Association of Realtors, women were involved in the US real estate industry since its inception. From the late 1800s, women began to move out of administrative roles to become agents and brokers, albeit at a slow pace. Nearly a century and a half later, women make up 56% of all real estate agents according to the most recent data from the US Census Bureau.
Although 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. Part-time male real estate agents make up a much smaller share, at just 27%. Real estate agents are paid on commission (not salaried) and have flexible hours, which makes the real estate sales profession much more accommodating to part-time schedules than many other jobs.
Because the real estate profession offers high earning potential, flexible hours for families and a low barrier to entry, it attracts a large number of women who want to change careers, a second job or re-enter the workforce. after a career. Pause. 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.
Top US 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 making up 89% of the total. At 82%, New Mexico also has a high proportion 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, Construction Coverage researchers analyzed data from the United States Census Bureauthe US Bureau of Labor Statisticsand Zillow. The researchers ranked metros based on the percentage of real estate agents who are women. The researchers calculated the median annual earnings of real estate agents, the concentration of real estate agents relative to the national share, and the median house 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 who are women: 60.7%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $46,910
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): +22%
- Median house price: $558,513
14. Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 61.3%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $39,710
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): -2%
- Median house price: $257,144
13. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 62.4%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $36,750
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): +13%
- Median house price: $315,208
12. Richmond, Virginia
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 62.6%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $59,770
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): +56%
- Median house price: $313,876
11. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 63.1%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $38,340
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): -ten%
- Median house price: $246,825
10. Tucson, AZ
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 63.2%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $34,850
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): +13%
- Median house price: $321,613
9. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 63.7%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $38,530
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): -13%
- Median house price: $420,228
8. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 65.3%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $46,640
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): -seven%
- Median house price: $416,647
7. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 65.4%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $48,050
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): -39%
- Median house price: $426,226
6. New Orleans-Metairie, LA
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 67.5%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $38,250
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): Medium
- Median house price: $258,775
5. Oklahoma City, OK
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 69.3%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $38,350
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): +71%
- Median house price: $204,073
4.Columbus, Ohio
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 69.7%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $36,910
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): +44%
- Median house price: $279,883
3. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 69.8%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $44,960
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): -42%
- Median house price: $230,178
2. Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 70.5%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $38,270
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): +80%
- Median house price: $277,257
1. Rochester, New York
- Percentage of real estate agents who are women: 81.5%
- Median earnings of real estate agents: $64,800
- Concentration of real estate agents (compared to the average): -72%
- Median house price: $203,384
Detailed results and methodology
To find the metropolitan areas with the most female real estate agents, Construction Coverage researchers analyzed data from the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau survey. American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (ACS PUMS), the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Statistics on employment and wages by profession (OEWS), and the most recent from Zillow Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), a measure of the typical value of a home.
Using ACS PUMS data, the researchers ranked metros based on the percentage of female real estate agents. In the event of a tie, the metro with the most female real estate agents was ranked higher. The researchers calculated the median annual earnings of real estate agents and the concentration of real estate agents relative to the national share using OEWS data. The median home price was calculated from Zillow’s ZHVI. Census Bureau data includes both real estate agents and brokers, while BLS data only includes real estate agents. Only large metros with populations of one million or more were included in the analysis.
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