In most real estate jobs, you'll work as an independent contractor. This means you'll run your own business, generate your own leads, and serve clients on a commission- or fee-based arrangement. As an entrepreneur, it's possible to grow your income well beyond these average figures. The more deals you negotiate, loans you close, home inspections you perform, or appraisals you complete, the more you make! Real Estate really is a great fit for a lot of careers, from teachers to even federal government workers, you will be pleasantly surprised as the skill transfer in your own field!
Dive deeper into how compensation works for each real estate role in our guide Transform Your Educator Superpowers Into a Rewarding Real Estate Career.
Career Perks of Education vs. Career Perks of Real Estate
Real estate is a career where your effort is rewarded every day, and every day brings a new opportunity. Your day-to-day activities will look different than your days as an educator. Let's compare.
Career Perks | Education Teacher, Administrator, and Other K-12 Positions | Real Estate Real Estate Agent, Mortgage Loan Officer, Appraiser, Home Inspector |
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Work Schedule | Typically 8 hours per day (i.e. 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM) with extra work outside of school hours | 100% flexible hours in all four professions. You can create your own schedule around your clients' needs |
Income Structure | Fixed salary, paid 10 or 12 months out of the year | Commission-based earnings with unlimited income potential |
Vacation Time | Summers and holidays off | Unlimited vacation time |
Benefits | Employer-provided health insurance, sick leave, PTO, parental leave, and retirement plans | Typically, you'll purchase your own benefits and have more choice in health insurance and retirement plans as a self-employed professional |
Career Growth Opportunities | Opportunities to advance to administration, curriculum development, or higher education | Opportunities to launch your successful business, hire others to work for you, and upgrade your skills to earn more income |
Can I Teach and Work in Real Estate?
Yes! Beginning your real estate career part-time is one the best ways to launch your new career. You can dip your toes into the real estate field while continuing your work in the classroom.
As an educator, your summer break is the perfect time to put your career switch in motion. In fact, for most of the four major real estate professions, you can complete your education in just a few months! Once you're licensed, you can keep teaching while you grow your real estate business into a successful side hustle. Then, go full-time when you're ready to break away and make real estate your primary career.
Discover the steps and timelines to earn your license for each real estate career path inside our ebook Transform Your Educator Superpowers Into a Rewarding Real Estate Career.
For more guidance, the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop offers resources tailored for professionals exploring a career change.
