In South Africa, the average salary for an estate agent is R15,031.00 per month. An estate agent’s income is heavily reliant on commissions. An estate agent earns an annual commission ranging from R32,000.00 to R582,000.00 (Payscale).
Performance bonuses are also a part of an Estate Agent’s income in South Africa. The average annual bonus for an Estate Agent is R97,570.00 (Salary Expert). Estate agents receive annual bonuses ranging from R2,000.00 to R120,000.00.
However, some South African Estate Agents do not receive performance bonuses. According to Salary Explorer, only half of real estate agents received bonuses in 2021, with the other half not receiving any. However, bonuses increased during the same period from 3% to 5% of the annual salary of Estate Agents.
Estate agents receive benefits from their employers in addition to bonuses and commissions. They receive medical, dental, and vision benefits, according to Payscale. However, benefits vary by company, as some do not provide any benefits.
The gender breakdown of Estate Agents is nearly balanced, with female representation at 52% and male representation at 48%. However, there is an income disparity between the sexes. Men earn 7% more than women, with an average monthly salary of R36,800.00, while women earn R34,100.00.
A number of factors influence an Estate Agent’s salary in South Africa. These factors are discussed further below.
Factors that influence the salary of an Estate Agent in 2024
Level of Education
The level of education of an Estate Agent influences their salary. For example, an Estate Agent with a high school education earns an average monthly salary of R16,900.00. Estate agents with a diploma earn R26,600.00 per month on average, which is 57% more than those with a high school education.
When Estate Agents obtain a Bachelor’s degree, the wage disparity widens even further. An Estate Agent with a Bachelor’s degree earns an average monthly salary of R44,600.00, which is 68% more than that of Estate Agents with a diploma.
City of Employment
The salary of an Estate Agent is also influenced by the city in which they work. The city in which an Estate Agent works can also have an impact on the commissions and bonuses that they can earn. Those who work in major cities receive the highest commissions and bonuses.
Here are the highest-paying cities in South Africa for estate agents in 2024:
| # | City | Salary |
| 1 | Sandton, Gauteng | R38,694.00 |
| 2 | Cape Town, Western Cape | R26,332.00 |
| 3 | Benoni, Gauteng | R25,947.00 |
| 4 | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal | R24,893.00 |
| 5 | Gauteng | R19,778.00 |
| 6 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | R17,447.00 |
| 7 | Pretoria | R16,698.00 |
Employer
The salary of an Estate Agent is heavily influenced by the employer. Employers provide benefits to employees, as well as opportunities to work on more rewarding projects and earn high commissions. Employers specializing in urban development pay the most in South Africa.
Here are some of the highest-paying employers in South Africa for estate agents:
- Rawson Property Group,
- Soukop Property Group,
- Seff,
- UHG Worldwide,
- Summercon,
- Engel & Volkers,
- REMAX Executive Group, and
- Pam Golding Properties.
The level of experience of an Estate Agent is another factor that influences their salary. Below, we discuss how the salary of an Estate Agent is determined by their level of experience in the field.
Salary of an Estate Agent based on work experience
Salary of an Estate Agent with 0 – 2 years of work experience in 2024
An Estate Agent with 0 to 2 years of experience can expect to earn R14,900.00 per month on average. Estate Agents with 0 years of experience earn the lowest salaries, with an average monthly salary of R13,700.00.
Those with 2 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R16,300.00. Estate Agents in this group can earn more money through commissions and bonuses..
Salary of an Estate Agent with 3 – 5 years of work experience in 2024
An Estate Agent with 3 to 5 years of experience can expect to earn R19,800.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 34% increase over the average salary of Estate Agents with 0 to 2 years of experience.
Estate Agents with 3 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R17,000.00. Estate agents with 5 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R22,700.00.
Salary of an Estate Agent with 6 – 10 years of work experience in 2024
An Estate Agent with 6 to 10 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R29,300.00. The salary represents a 48% increase over the average salary of Estate Agents with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Estate Agents with 10 years of experience earn the most in this category, earning R31,500.00 per month. Estate Agents with 6 years of experience earn the least, earning R26,480.00 per month.
Salary of an Estate Agent with 11 – 15 years of work experience in 2024
An Estate Agent with 11 to 15 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R35,800.00. The salary represents a 22% increase over the average salary of Estate Agents with 6 to 10 years of experience.
Estate Agents with 15 years of experience earn the highest salary in this category, with an average monthly salary of R36,900.00. Estate Agents with 11 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R33,500.00.
Salary of an Estate Agent with 16 – 20 years of work experience in 2024
An Estate Agent with 16 to 20 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R39,000.00. The salary represents a 9% increase over the average salary of Estate Agents with 11 to 15 years of experience.
Estate agents with 20 or more years of experience earn the highest salary in this category, with an average monthly salary of R42,500.00. Estate Agents with more than 20 years of experience can earn as much as R50,000.00 per month.
Conclusion
Estate Agents can earn a lot of money, especially if they work for a good company and have a degree. Working for a financially rewarding employer who offers high commission rates can increase an Estate Agent’s income.