Although there is no official count of real estate agents in Pennsylvania, a good estimate is that there are 78,000 active agents in the state. Read on to find out how this number was calculated.
The Number of Realtors in Pennsylvania
There are more than 39,000 members of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors. However, that is less than the total number of real estate agents in the state. That’s because many real estate agents are not Realtors.
We can estimate how many real estate agents are Realtors in Pennsylvania by looking at other states where the number of real estate agents is known. For example, in Georgia, approximately half of the real estate agents and brokers are Realtors. That means there are about twice as many active agents and brokers as there are Realtors.
A similar proportion is likely to be the case in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has 39,000 Realtors. If only half of the agents are Realtors, we can estimate there are 78,000 active Pennsylvania real estate agents and brokers.
Why is the Bureau of Labor Statistics Number So Small?
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that Pennsylvania has 6,350 real estate sales agents and 690 real estate brokers, for a total of 7,040 licensed real estate workers. However, that is far less than the 39,000 Realtors and the estimated 78,000 active agents.
What accounts for the difference is the way that the OEWS counts real estate agents and brokers. The OEWS information includes only people who are employed. It doesn’t include agents and brokers who are self-employed. Most Realtors are self-employed. In fact, nationwide, about 87% of Realtors are independent contractors. So, counting only real estate agents who are employees, as the OEWS does, vastly undercounts the actual numbers.
Real Estate Agents Throughout the State of Pennsylvania
The number of real estate agents working in different regions of Pennsylvania varies. It depends on the size of the regions and their population density. For example:
In the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, there are more than 3,200 Realtors. Assuming there are approximately twice as many real estate agents as Realtors, there are about 7,400 real estate agents working in that area.
In the Pocono Mountains area, there are more than 1,000 Realtors. That’s approximately 2,000 real estate agents in total.
In and around Bucks County, there are approximately 4,200 Realtors. That’s an estimated 8,400 real estate agents.
In Central Susquehanna Valley, there are about 300 Realtors, or 600 real estate agents.
No matter where you choose to live and work in Pennsylvania, you can have a satisfying career as a real estate agent or broker.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Pennsylvania
The first step to becoming a licensed real estate agent in Pennsylvania is to take the required courses. Then, follow these steps:
Study your Pennsylvania pre-licensing course material thoroughly. This will give you a good foundation for your career.
Find the right Pennsylvania real estate broker to sponsor you and give you a leg up in the field.
Work on your networking and communication skills. Real estate is all about your relationships.
Invest in marketing and know-how to market yourself wisely.
Take continuing education courses to further your knowledge in the field.
The large number of real estate agents in Pennsylvania tells you that it’s a lucrative, booming line of business. And since real estate agents are mostly locally specialized, you will really only be in competition with the other agents in your area. These agents will also be helpful to you and become part of your business community as you work towards finding the perfect homes for your clients.
To get started on your new career, sign up for pre-licensing courses and exam prep with AceableAgent.
Updated 1/15/25