Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent?

Thinking about becoming a real estate agent but not ready to quit your day job? You’re not alone. I’ve talked to dozens of agents who started part-time — some stayed that way by choice, others transitioned to full-time once they proved the model worked.

The short answer: yes, you can absolutely be a part-time real estate agent. But like most things in real estate, the reality is more nuanced than the license exam makes it sound.

Can you actually make money as a part-time real estate agent?

According to NAR’s 2024 Member Profile, about 22% of REALTORS® work part-time — down slightly from 23% in 2022, but still a significant chunk of the industry. These aren’t hobbyists. Many are serious professionals who’ve figured out how to build sustainable businesses around other commitments.

The money part is where it gets real. Zillow’s 2024 data shows part-time agents earn a median of $38,200 annually compared to $78,850 for full-timers. That’s roughly half. Part-time agents close an average of 6-8 transactions per year versus 12-15 for full-time agents.

Here’s what those numbers don’t tell you: your market matters more than national averages. A part-time agent closing 6 deals in Orange County at a $900,000 median price is doing a lot better than a full-time agent closing 12 deals in a $150,000 market.

What does “part-time” actually mean in real estate?

This isn’t a job where you clock in for 20 hours a week on a predictable schedule. Real estate runs on your clients’ timelines, not yours.

Most successful part-time agents I know work one of these models:

• Evenings and weekends only: Keep a 9-5 job, do showings after 6pm and all day Saturday/Sunday
• Compressed full-time: Work 3-4 intense days per week, block off the rest for your other job or business
• Seasonal focus: Go full-tilt during spring/summer selling season, scale back in winter
• Niche specialist: Work exclusively with investors or a specific property type that doesn’t require constant availability

The challenge: clients don’t care that you’re part-time. When they text at 2pm on a Tuesday about a hot listing, they expect a response. If you’re in a meeting at your other job, someone else is getting that showing appointment.

How to become a part-time real estate agent (step-by-step)

The licensing process is the same whether you plan to work 10 hours a week or 60. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Complete your state’s pre-licensing education

Most states require 60-180 hours of coursework covering real estate principles, law, and practices. You can knock this out online in 4-8 weeks at your own pace.

Popular online schools: Aceableagent, The CE Shop, and Colibri Real Estate. I’ve reviewed all three — they’re all solid, just pick whichever interface you vibe with.

Step 2: Pass your state licensing exam

The exam tests state-specific laws plus national real estate concepts. Pass rates vary by state but typically hover around 50-60% on the first attempt.

Study tip: Don’t just memorize practice questions. Understand the concepts. PrepAgent has adaptive practice tests that actually help you learn, not just cram.

Step 3: Find a brokerage that supports part-time agents

This is where being part-time gets tricky. Not all brokerages want part-time agents. Some require minimum production standards or in-office hours that don’t work if you have another job.

What to look for:

• Flexible schedules and remote work options
• Strong CRM and tech stack so you can work efficiently
• Mentorship programs for new agents
• Reasonable split structure (avoid 50/50 splits as a newbie — you’re already working with less time)

Some brokerages are more part-time friendly than others. Keller Williams, eXp Realty, and Realty One Group tend to be flexible. Traditional firms with physical office requirements less so.

Step 4: Activate your license

Once you pass the exam, you’ll apply for your license through your state’s real estate commission. Your sponsoring broker submits the paperwork. Processing takes 2-6 weeks depending on the state.

Step 5: Consider joining NAR as a REALTOR® (optional but recommended)

You don’t have to be a REALTOR® to practice real estate, but it gives you MLS access, legal hotline support, and the credibility of the REALTOR® brand. Annual dues run $150-300 depending on your local association.

Related reading: Real Estate Broker vs. Agent vs. REALTOR®

The honest pros and cons of part-time real estate

Pros

Lower financial risk. You’re not betting your entire income on a commission-only job while you learn the business. Your other job covers your bills while you build your real estate client base.

Test before you commit. Maybe you love real estate in theory but hate it in practice. Better to figure that out while you still have a paycheck.

Flexibility. You control your schedule more than most W-2 jobs. Need to take your kid to a doctor’s appointment at 10am? Do it, then work that evening.

Networking overlap. Your other job becomes a lead source. Coworkers, clients from that job, professional connections — they all know you’re in real estate now.

Cons

You’re competing against full-time agents. When a buyer wants to see a house at 2pm on a Wednesday and you’re at your other job, the full-time agent gets the client. This is real.

Time management is brutal. You’re essentially working two jobs. Expect 60-70 hour weeks if you’re serious about both. Burnout is common.

Fewer brokerage options. Top-producing teams and boutique brokerages often won’t take part-timers. You may end up at a big-box brokerage with less mentorship and support.

Clients may not take you seriously. Some buyers and sellers assume part-time = not committed. You’ll have to work harder to prove you’re responsive and professional.

Slower income ramp-up. Full-time agents might close their first deal in 60-90 days. Part-timers often take 4-6 months or longer. You’re putting in half the hours, so expect half the results (at least initially).

How to actually succeed as a part-time agent (what works)

I’ve seen part-time agents crush it. I’ve also seen them flame out in 6 months. The difference comes down to a few key strategies:

Pick a specific niche and own it

You don’t have time to be everything to everyone. Pick a lane: first-time buyers, investor properties, luxury condos, a specific neighborhood. Market yourself as THE expert in that narrow slice.

Example: One part-time agent I know only works with VA buyers. That’s it. He’s a veteran himself, understands the financing, and has built relationships with VA-friendly lenders. He does 8-10 deals a year working 15 hours a week.

Use tech to multiply your time

You can’t afford to waste 3 hours manually entering leads into a spreadsheet. Invest in tools that automate the boring stuff.

Must-haves:

• CRM: Follow Up Boss, KVCore, or LionDesk to manage leads and automate follow-up (Chime CRM review, Real Geeks review)
• Scheduling tool: Calendly or Acuity so clients can book showings without 47 text messages
• E-signature platform: DocuSign or Dotloop for remote contract signing
• Social media scheduler: Buffer or Metricool to batch-create content once a week

Set boundaries and communicate them early

Tell clients upfront: “I’m available evenings after 6pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. If you text me during the day, I’ll respond by 6pm unless it’s an emergency.”

Most clients respect this. The ones who don’t aren’t your ideal clients anyway.

Farm your existing network hard

Part-time agents don’t have time for cold-calling or door-knocking. Your fastest path to deals is people who already know and trust you.

Every person in your phone is a potential client or referral source. Send a monthly email update. Post consistently on social. Let everyone know you’re in real estate now.

Partner with a full-time agent or team

Some part-timers join a team as a buyer’s agent. You handle showings and client care. The team leader handles marketing, lead generation, and transaction management. You split the commission but save yourself 20 hours a week.

What part-time real estate agents actually earn (real numbers)

National median for part-time agents in 2025: $38,200 annually, based on Zillow and NAR data.

But here’s the range:

• Bottom 25%: Under $15,000/year (1-3 deals)
• Middle 50%: $20,000-50,000/year (4-8 deals)
• Top 25%: $50,000-80,000/year (8-12 deals)

Your market’s median home price and average commission rate determine your per-deal income. In Austin, TX (median price $550,000), a 2.5% buyer’s agent commission on one side = $13,750 gross. Close 6 deals = $82,500. After a 70/30 split with your broker, you’re at $57,750.

In Toledo, OH (median price $180,000), that same 6 deals = $27,000 gross, $18,900 after split.

Same effort. Wildly different income. Market matters.

Should you go part-time or full-time? (decision framework)

Go part-time if:

• You have financial obligations a commission-only job can’t cover for 6+ months
• You want to test real estate before committing
• You have another income source you genuinely enjoy or that provides stability (spouse’s income, business, pension)
• Your market is slow enough that 6-8 deals a year would be respectable production

Go full-time if:

• You have 6-12 months of expenses saved
• You’re in a competitive market where response time = winning or losing clients
• You have lead generation systems ready to go (sphere, database, marketing budget)
• You’re confident you can handle the income uncertainty

There’s no right answer. I know full-time agents barely scraping by and part-time agents running efficient 6-figure businesses. It’s about what fits your life and goals.

Bottom line

Can you be a part-time real estate agent? Yes. Can you make real money doing it? Also yes — but you need a plan, boundaries, and realistic expectations.

You’re not going to become a top producer working 10 hours a week. But you can absolutely build a profitable side business, test the waters before jumping in full-time, or create a sustainable part-time income that fits around your life.

The agents who succeed part-time are the ones who treat it like a real business, not a hobby. If you’re disciplined about your schedule, strategic about your niche, and honest with clients about your availability, you can make this work.

Need help getting organized? Check out our real estate marketing templates designed specifically for agents who need to work fast and look professional.