The question of how many transactions the average real estate agent completes each year is complex because the industry is not uniform. The term “average realtor” encompasses a vast range of professionals, from new licensees to part-time practitioners and seasoned veterans. Understanding true productivity requires analyzing data that reveals a significant disparity in performance. This article breaks down official statistics to provide a realistic view of agent productivity, the factors creating this gap, and how transaction volume connects to an agent’s financial reality.
The Statistical Reality of the Average Realtor
The most current national data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicates that the typical member completed 10 residential transaction sides in 2024. A “transaction side” is one half of a completed sale; an agent earns one side for representing the buyer and one side for representing the seller. If an agent facilitates both sides of a sale, they count two transaction sides.
The statistic of 10 transaction sides is the most reliable measure for the typical real estate agent across the country. This number has held steady in recent years, reflecting a challenging market environment where factors like low housing inventory can constrain an agent’s ability to close deals. This baseline figure provides a starting point for evaluating the overall productivity of the national pool of licensed agents.
Understanding the Difference Between Average and Median
The figure of 10 transaction sides is a statistical median, which is a more representative measure of the typical agent than the arithmetic mean, or average. The median is the midpoint of all data points, meaning half of all agents completed 10 or fewer transaction sides, and half completed 10 or more. The national average number of transactions is much higher than the median, a disparity resulting from the statistical skew created by a small number of top-performing agents.
A handful of highly productive agents who complete hundreds of transactions each year pull the average upward, making it a misleading number for the majority of practitioners. The data shows that approximately 27% of agents complete five or fewer transaction sides annually, which substantially lowers the median. By contrast, a mere 3% of agents complete 51 or more transaction sides, which is the group that disproportionately inflates the overall average.
Factors That Influence Transaction Volume
The wide gap between the typical agent and the top producer is explained by several primary variables that determine an agent’s annual transaction volume. Agent experience is one of the most powerful predictors of success and productivity. New agents with two years of experience or less report a median of only two transaction sides per year, which is significantly lower than the median of 12 transaction sides reported by agents with 16 years or more of experience.
The commitment level is another major factor, as the industry includes a large number of part-time agents who maintain their license but do not rely on real estate for their main income. Agents who dedicate themselves to the profession full-time consistently close more deals than those who treat it as a secondary source of revenue. Market type and location also play a role, as agents in high-volume, lower-priced markets may log more transactions than those in high-value, lower-volume luxury markets.
Specialization allows agents to focus their efforts and become experts in a particular area, which can increase their efficiency and referral business.
Specialization and Team Structure
Agents focusing on residential sales, commercial properties, land, or even specific neighborhoods can leverage this niche knowledge to generate more consistent transactions. Working on a team structure versus operating as a solo agent also impacts individual statistics. Team members often benefit from shared resources and leads, resulting in a higher personal transaction count than many solo practitioners.
Transaction Volume and Agent Income
Transaction volume is the direct driver of an agent’s Gross Commission Income (GCI), which is the total amount of commission earned before any splits or expenses are deducted. The entire commission, which historically averages between 5% and 6% of the sale price, is typically split between the buyer’s and seller’s brokerages. The agent then receives a portion of their brokerage’s share, based on a pre-determined commission split.
Commission splits vary widely, ranging from a 50/50 split for new agents to 70/30 or 80/20 for more experienced agents, with some high-volume agents reaching a 95/5 split. For example, if an agent on a 60/40 split sells a $300,000 home with a 3% commission share, they would generate $9,000 in GCI and receive $5,400 of that amount. The typical agent completing 10 transaction sides and maintaining a median sales volume of $2.5 million annually would generate a GCI of approximately $62,500, assuming a 2.5% effective commission rate.
This gross income is further reduced by business expenses, such as marketing, technology, and monthly brokerage fees. The financial difference between the median agent and the high-volume agent is substantial, as the agent with higher volume often negotiates a better commission split and can absorb fixed costs more easily. The median gross income for all agents in 2024 was reported at $58,100, underscoring that the vast majority earn a moderate income before business expenses are accounted for.
Benchmarking Success: The Top Performers
Measuring success in real estate means looking well beyond the median of 10 transaction sides to identify truly high-performing agents. Top producers are often defined by reaching milestones that place them in the upper echelon of the industry. Agents who consistently close 15 or more transaction sides annually are considered high-volume practitioners in most markets.
A more exclusive tier includes agents who complete 20 to 25 transaction sides per year, a level of productivity that usually requires a dedicated, full-time commitment and a strong referral network. The most productive group, sometimes referred to as “mega-agents,” consists of the 3% of agents who record 51 or more transaction sides in a single year. These agents often operate with a team structure, relying on specialized roles to manage the high volume of deals.
These benchmarks provide context for agents aiming to grow their business significantly beyond the typical performance level. Achieving these high volumes demonstrates consistent lead flow, marketing effectiveness, and client satisfaction.
Strategies to Increase Annual Transactions
Agents looking to move their productivity past the median must focus on developing scalable systems and processes rather than simply working harder. A consistent lead generation and follow-up system is foundational to increasing annual transactions. Implementing a customer relationship management (CRM) platform allows an agent to track and nurture hundreds of potential clients simultaneously, ensuring no lead falls through the cracks.
Developing a specialization and niche marketing strategy can help an agent stand out in a crowded market. Instead of trying to serve everyone, an agent can focus on a specific property type, geographic area, or client demographic, which allows for highly targeted and cost-effective marketing. This focus builds a reputation as the local expert, driving organic referrals within that niche.
Leveraging technology and automation is necessary for handling high transaction volumes without sacrificing service quality. Tools for automated scheduling, digital contract management, and social media marketing free up an agent’s time to focus on client-facing activities like negotiations and property showings. Investing in mentorship or joining a productive team provides a shortcut to higher production by offering proven systems, training, and immediate access to a share of team leads and transactions.