How many real estate agents are in the state of New York?
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Quick answer: New York has approximately 77,000 active real estate agents and 43,000 active brokers, totaling around 120,000 licensed real estate professionals as of early 2026. The market has continued its contraction from the 2023 peak of 131,000+ licensees.
Current New York Real Estate License Statistics
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Active real estate agents | ~77,000 |
| Active real estate brokers | ~43,000 |
| Total licensed professionals | ~120,000 |
| NYSAR members | ~60,000 |
| Change since 2023 peak | -8% to -9% |
| New York's share of U.S. agents | 2.6% |
Sources: NY Department of StateLicensing Services Dos.ny.gov, NYSAR, NARResearch And Statistics
Here's what's interesting: the market has contracted steadily since early 2023. Nationally, NAR membershipReal Estate News Nar Membership Remains Above Forecast Magazine stood at approximately 1.45 million as of mid-2025—down from the 1.6 million peak in 2022. This reflects tougher market conditions and lingering effects of high interest rates. New York's decline has tracked similarly.
If you're thinking about getting into real estate, that's actually good news. Fewer agents means less competition for clients and more room to build your business as the market recovers.
Where Are All These Agents?
New York City dominates, which probably won't surprise you. The five boroughs hold roughly 40–45% of the state's agents—around 25,000–27,000 people. Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties) accounts for another 20–25%, and Westchester and Rockland Counties make up about 8–12%.
The rest are spread across the Capital Region, Western New York, Central New York, and the Hudson Valley. If you're looking for less competition, upstate markets like Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse offer real opportunity without the Manhattan price tag. You can verify active licensees through the NY DOS license search toolNydos SelSearchType.do Appext20.dos.ny.gov.
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What Can You Actually Earn?
The statewide average is $93,860 annually according to ZipRecruiterReal Estate Agent Salary In New York Salaries (January 2026), while Indeed reports $99,786Real Estate Agent Salaries NY Career. NYC agents earn more—Indeed shows $105,745 for New York CityReal Estate Agent Salaries New York NY Career specifically.
| Market | Avg. Annual Income | Median Home Price |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | $110,000–$125,000+ | $1,200,000 |
| Brooklyn/Queens | $95,000–$115,000 | $780,000 |
| Westchester County | $94,000–$100,000 | $700,000 |
| Long Island | $85,000–$95,000 | $650,000 |
| Buffalo | $75,000–$85,000 | $235,000 |
| Rochester | $75,000–$82,000 | $230,000 |
| Albany | $76,000–$86,000 | $290,000 |
| Syracuse | $78,000–$85,000 | $205,000 |
Sources: ZipRecruiter, Indeed, Zillow NY Market DataHome Values Ny, Redfin NY Market OverviewNew York Housing Market State
Manhattan agents earn more because the properties cost more—but the competition is fierce and the cost of living eats into those bigger paychecks. Top earners (90th percentile) make $140,000+ statewide. Upstate markets won't make you rich overnight, but they offer steadier deal flow and lower barriers to entry. For a deeper dive, check out New York real estate agent incomeNew York New York Real Estate Agent Income Career Center.
Is New York Oversaturated?
Not really. Despite being the fourth most populous state, New York only has 2.6% of all U.S. real estate agents. Compare that to Florida (216,000+ REALTORS®) or California (196,000+), and you'll see there's actually room to grow here—especially outside the city. The Bureau of Labor StatisticsCurrent Oes419022.htm Oes tracks employment data for real estate agents nationwide if you want to compare markets.
How to Get Your New York Real Estate License
Getting licensed in New York takes most people 2–4 months. Here's the short version: you'll need to be 18 or older with a high school diploma, complete 77 hours of pre-license educationNew York How Long Does It Take To Get Your Real Estate License In New York Career CenterNew York How Long Does It Take To Get Your Real Estate License In New York Career Center, pass a course exam, pass the state licensing examNew York New York Real Estate Exam Career Center ($15 fee), find a sponsoring brokerNew York Sponsoring Broker New York Career Center, and submit your application ($65 fee). All in, expect to spend $350–$600New York Cost Of New York Real Estate License Career Center.
You can complete your education online through AceableAgent's New York real estate courseNew York Real Estate LicenseNew York Real Estate License and schedule your state exam throughPSI ServicesCandidate.psiexams.com. The NY Department of StateReal Estate Salesperson Dos.ny.gov provides official licensing requirements and application forms. For the full step-by-step breakdown, see how to get your New York real estate licenseNew York How To Get New York Real Estate License Career Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many real estate agents are in New York State? There are approximately 120,000 licensed real estate professionals: around 77,000 agents and 43,000 brokers as of early 2026.
How many real estate agents are in New York City? Approximately 25,000–27,000 agents work in the five boroughs—roughly 40–45% of all agents in the state. REBNY represents over 14,000 NYC real estate professionals.
How much do New York real estate agents make? The statewide average is $93,860–$99,786 annually depending on the source. NYC agents typically earn $105,000–$125,000, while upstate agents average $75,000–$86,000.
Is now a good time to become a real estate agent in New York? Yes. The ongoing decline in licensed agents means less competition, and NAR forecastsResearch And Statistics existing home sales to increase by 14% in 2026. New York's diverse markets—from Manhattan luxury to Buffalo affordability—offer opportunities at every price point.
How long does it take to get licensed? Most people finish in 2–4 months. Learn more about timing and costsNew York How Long Does It Take To Get Your Real Estate License In New York Career CenterNew York How Long Does It Take To Get Your Real Estate License In New York Career Center.
Ready to Get Started?
With fewer agents in the market and average earnings near $94,000–$100,000, this is a solid time to jump in. Whether you're eyeing Brooklyn brownstones or Buffalo bungalows, the first step is the same.
Start your pre-licensing course todayNew York Real Estate LicenseNew York Real Estate License and get your New York real estate career moving.