What is your earning potential as a real estate professional? It’s an important question to keep asking throughout your career. Real Estate Express’ 2018 Real Estate Agent Income Guide found real estate agent income varies by brokerage type—meaning you can maximize your earnings by choosing a brokerage that’s most likely to boost your profits.

Here’s what we know about how your brokerage can impact your bottom line.

How Much Does a Real Estate Agent Make?

That depends—not every brokerage is created equal. Each brokerage has a unique set of values, business philosophy and ethos that can impact your experience as a real estate professional. There are quantitative differences between brokerages too. The survey revealed an agent’s income can more than triple depending on the kind of brokerage they’re connected to. Agents at regional franchises reported annual incomes of $34,167, while agents at international brokerages reported earning $87,000 annually.

Here’s a complete breakdown of average gross income by brokerage type:

• International brokerage: $87,000
• National franchise: $77,477
• Hybrid brokerage: $72,500
• Independently-owned brokerage: $65,696
• Regional franchise: $34,167
• Other: $53,125

Yes, You Can Switch Brokerages

What do you do if your brokerage isn’t working out for you, or if your earnings seem limited? Well, you can always switch. The survey also revealed that more than half of agents (58 percent) have switched to a new brokerage at some point in their career.

What to Look for in a Brokerage

When you’re evaluating a brokerage there’s a lot to consider:

1. Do you receive mentoring from other agents or brokers?

If you’re just starting out in real estate, you’ll want to make sure there are more experienced agents around you that can help you find leads, close different kinds of transactions and develop a network in your market. If you’re a woman, you might want to consider joining a brokerage that has a track record of mentoring women in real estate and providing leadership and advancement opportunities for new female real estate agents.

2. Does your brokerage offer any extra benefits?

The Real Estate Express research shows that less than a quarter of brokerages offer benefits to agents, despite the fact that 83 percent of brokerages struggle to retain talent. This could be a good bargaining tool to consider as you negotiate at a new brokerage. Here are some benefits you might consider inquiring about:

• 401(k) contributions
• Health insurance
• Dental or vision coverage
• Paid continuing education opportunities
• Daycare

3. Does your brokerage embrace new trends?

The study also shows that agents who stay updated on best practices earn more than double than agents who don’t. Finding a brokerage that has a culture of staying current with technology and strategies will push you to be more innovative yourself, which can have a huge impact on your earnings.

Source: RIS Media