Real estate agents in Florida earn around $66K annually, with top performers making over $ 100 K. Income depends on experience, location, and brokerage model. Agents using flat-fee brokerages earn more commission and reduce overhead, making real estate a smart move in 2025.
Florida is one of the most lucrative and misunderstood real estate markets in the country. Whether you’re freshly licensed or a seasoned professional considering a brokerage switch, the question always comes up: How much do real estate agents really make in Florida?
In this guide, we break down the real numbers:
- What you can expect to earn
- Where the highest-paying cities are
- How much it costs to get started
- What makes or breaks your income potential
Let’s get into it.
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in Florida?
Average Salary for Real Estate Agents in Florida
When people ask us how much real estate agents earn in Florida, we always respond with: “It depends on how you’re working, and who you’re working with.” That’s because your income is shaped by your brokerage structure, business model, and time commitment.
Let’s break down what current data shows:
- Median agent income in Florida is approximately $66,000.
- Entry-level agents typically earn $30,000 to $50,000 in their first couple of years, though many earn less if they aren’t closing consistently.
- Experienced agents commonly break $100K, especially those in urban and luxury markets.
- Licensed brokers, those who oversee other agents, can earn anywhere from $150,000 to $285,000, with many building residual income through team overrides or flat-fee structures.
- Agents in Miami often lead the income charts, driven by luxury inventory, international buyers, and high transaction volumes.
Salary by City (2025 Data Snapshot)
Some regions in Florida offer higher earning potential due to volume, home price, or relocation trends. Here’s how key cities stack up:
| City | Avg Salary | What Drives It |
| Miami | $91,000+ | Luxury listings, international buyers |
| Orlando | $82,000 | High tourism + inbound relocations |
| Tampa | $78,500 | Strong demand and expanding suburbs |
| Sarasota | $74,000 | Vacation homes and second-home transactions |
| Jacksonville | $71,000 | Affordable market with growth potential |
No matter the city, agents who control their overhead and leverage the right business model tend to keep more of what they earn. We’ll cover that in more detail below.
Florida Real Estate Commissions Explained
How Agents Get Paid
It’s easy to assume agents earn a “salary,” but that’s rarely the case. Real estate professionals in Florida, and nationwide, are almost always independent contractors. That means no base pay, no hourly wage, and no guaranteed income. Your earnings come directly from commission.
Here’s how a typical transaction plays out:
- A home sells for $393,000
- The total commission is ~5.5%, or $21,615
- That amount is typically split four ways:
- Listing agent
- Listing broker
- Buyer’s agent
- Buyer’s broker
So even though it may seem like a large payout, most agents walk away with only 2.5% or less, and only after splitting again with their brokerage (unless they’re on a flat-fee model).
Common Commission Structures in Florida
Not every agent is working under the same terms. Here’s a look at the typical models:
- Traditional brokerages (70/30 or 80/20 splits)
- Broker keeps 20–30% of your commission
- May charge monthly desk or franchise fees
- Flat-fee brokerages like Realty Hub
- You keep 100% of your commission
- Pay $100/year + $100 per closing, with no franchise or desk fees
- Team structures
- Some buyer agents working on teams only retain 30–40% of the deal
- Shrinking commissions
- More homes are offering only 2% or flat-fee compensation to buyer’s agents
- This shift is pushing more agents to optimize their take-home by minimizing brokerage cuts
Is It Worth It to Become a Realtor in Florida?
Pros of Being a Real Estate Agent in Florida
- High transaction volume and turnover, especially in growing metros
- Flexible schedules that support side gigs or family life
- Referral income opportunities, especially for agents working across state lines
- No state income tax, which puts more back in your pocket
- A lifestyle that sells itself, sunshine, beaches, and relocation demand from out-of-state buyers
Whether you’re working luxury waterfront listings or mid-range family homes, there’s room to build a solid career here.
Cons and Worries Agents Share
- Zero commission years happen, especially to new agents without leads or pipeline
- Income instability makes budgeting difficult if you’re not prepared
- High onboarding costs with some brokerages: MLS, association dues, insurance, desk fees
- Oversaturation in the market, with many agents joining without long-term intent
- Uncertainty around buyer commissions, especially if reforms force buyers to cover those costs directly
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida?
Upfront Costs (2025)
- Pre-licensing course: $250–$500
- Exam fee: ~$36.75
- Fingerprinting: $60–$80
- State application: $83.75
- Total investment: $400–$700 to get started
It’s a low barrier to entry, but that’s also why the market is flooded with agents, some of whom are unprepared for what it takes to earn.
Ongoing Annual Costs
Where most agents feel the pinch is after they’re licensed. The difference between traditional and flat-fee models can be dramatic.
| Expense | Traditional Brokerage | Realty Hub |
| Broker Split | 20–40% of income | $0 |
| Annual Fee | $300+ or hidden franchise fees | $100 flat |
| E&O Insurance | $500+ | Included |
| MLS/Association Dues | $1,200–$1,800 | Optional (referral agents exempt) |
What Factors Affect Your Real Estate Income in Florida?
Every agent wants to know how to earn more, and keep more. But success in Florida real estate doesn’t come from working harder. It comes from working smarter. The three variables that shape your income the most are your experience, time commitment, and the systems you use to run your business.
Experience & Specialization
Agents with more experience are faster at closing, and also more strategic. With time, you build systems, learn your market, and refine your pitch.
- Agents who focus on luxury, relocation, or investor niches consistently outperform generalists.
- Obtaining a broker license unlocks new income streams, including managing agents and earning override fees.
- The more seasoned you are, the shorter your sales cycle, the better your conversion rates, and the less you spend chasing cold leads.
Whether you’ve been in the industry for six months or six years, positioning yourself with a strong niche matters. And having the right broker behind you makes that path more profitable.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time
There’s a myth that you have to go full-time to earn full income. That’s not true, if you’re working within a system built for flexibility.
Success as a part-time agent requires treating it like a real business, not a side hustle. That’s why our onboarding system gives you tools to get organized, get clear on your income plan, and get moving.
Location, Leads & CRM Tools
Where you work, and how you track your leads, can make or break your income.
- Agents working hot ZIP codes in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa typically see more consistent transactions.
- Those with relocation pipelines or builder partnerships tend to generate steadier leads.
- Most high-income agents have one thing in common: a strong CRM. Follow-up is where the money is.
Team structures can help new agents get started, but many find their take-home drops to 30–40% of each deal.
Tips to Maximize Your Income as a Florida Agent
Let’s be practical. If you want to increase your take-home and reduce the grind, here’s where to start:
Start With a Clear Plan
- Choose a specialty that fits your market: relocation, investor, vacation property, probate, etc.
- Build a referral network with lenders, inspectors, out-of-state agents, and past clients.
- Map your lead generation strategy and review it monthly.
Minimize Overhead
- Ditch high-split brokerages. Flat-fee models save thousands each year.
- Skip overpriced CRMs, many free or low-cost tools offer automation and integration.
- Avoid franchise systems with hidden desk or tech fees.
Join as a Referral Agent (Low-Risk Start)
- Referral-only agents at Realty Hub don’t pay MLS or association dues.
- Earn commission for simply connecting clients to active agents.
- Perfect for part-time agents, retirees, or anyone easing into the business.
Invest in Follow-Up Tools
- Use automated CRMs, email drips, and social reminders.
- Track every lead from contact to closing.
- 80% of commissions come from follow-up, not cold outreach.
Leverage the Right Brokerage
- Work where you’re not micromanaged.
- Choose a broker who answers your questions, not a call center.
- Find a model that offers support when you need it, independence when you don’t.
How to Earn More and Keep More
Florida is one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the country, but that comes with a wide income range.
Whether you’re in Miami’s luxury zip codes or Ocala’s investor-friendly suburbs, the truth is this: Your brokerage model matters just as much as your sales skills.
Agents earning six figures often aren’t working harder, they’re just keeping more of their commission by cutting overhead and choosing smarter structures.
At Realty Hub, we built our platform for agents who want:
- Flat-fee freedom instead of income-draining splits
- Real support (not hand-holding or meetings for the sake of meetings)
- Tools that simplify compliance, closings, and scaling your business
If you’re done splitting your earnings, chasing down fine print, or asking your broker if you’re “allowed” to do a personal deal, there’s a better way to work.
Here’s how we give agents the leverage they deserve:
- You keep 100% of your commission.
Just $100 per year and $100 per transaction, no surprises, no gotchas. - We include E&O insurance at no extra cost.
One less line item eating away at your income. - Referral agents skip MLS dues entirely.
That’s thousands saved for part-timers or agents easing back into the business.
You wouldn’t let your buyer overpay for closing costs. So why overpay your brokerage?