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Real Estate Associate: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you like checking out other people’s properties? Are you outgoing and organized? Can you remember names and faces? Are you good at negotiating? Then you might feel at home in a career as a real estate associate.
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Occupations in Alberta
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Real Estate Associate

Real estate associates help clients sell or buy properties such as houses, condominiums, commercial buildings, land, and other real estate.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Broker, Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Professional, Realtor, Salesperson

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 6232: Real Estate Agents and Salespersons

2006 NOC-S

  • G132: Real Estate Agents and Salespersons

2011 NOC

  • 6232: Real estate agents and salespersons

2016 NOC

  • 6232: Real estate agents and salespersons

2021 NOC

  • 63101: Real estate agents and salespersons

2023 OaSIS

  • 63101.00: Real estate agents and salespersons
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Most real estate associates represent people who are involved in selling or buying residential properties such as houses and condominiums. However, some specialize in selling and buying commercial, industrial, or retail properties, or land for future development. Others focus on leasing or managing residential, commercial, industrial, or retail properties.

Each specialty requires knowledge of the type of real estate and the local market. For example, those in residential real estate must be aware of local land-use bylaws, building restrictions, property taxes, and municipal development plans.

In general, real estate associates:

  • View property listings, read trade journals, and attend seminars, conventions, and courses to keep informed about market conditions
  • Research properties
  • Solicit property sales listings by advertising their services and by directly contacting owners by phone, email, or in person
  • Help sellers by setting fair-market asking prices for their properties, advertising and listing their properties, and conducting open houses
  • Help buyers by showing them properties and discussing terms of sale with them
  • Advise clients about market conditions, prices, legal requirements, and related matters
  • Prepare sales agreements and related documents in consultation with clients
  • Ensure that any special terms and conditions stated in agreements are carried out before the closing dates
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2022
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Working conditions for real estate associates vary. Although they generally work in offices, they spend a great deal of time outside the office. They show properties to clients, meet people, and research the market. They often work evenings and weekends. Most real estate associates work long hours and are almost always on call.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
E
Enterprising
This occupation
You
C
Conventional
I
Investigative
This occupation
You

To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Real estate agents and salespersons
2023 OaSIS: 63101.00

Click or tap a personality type for its description.

  • 1
    Enterprising

    Enterprising jobs are about leading, selling, or starting new projects. People in these jobs like to take charge, make decisions, and reach goals. They often work in business or politics. These jobs may involve some risk and require strong people skills. Examples include managers, salespeople, and entrepreneurs.

  • 2
    Conventional

    Conventional jobs involve following rules and working with information. People in these jobs like to keep things organized and follow clear steps. They often work with numbers, files, or data. These jobs usually happen in offices and involve working with data and details more than ideas. Examples include clerks, accountants, and data entry workers.

  • 3
    Investigative

    Investigative jobs are about thinking deeply and solving problems. People in these jobs enjoy learning, asking questions, and doing research. They often study science, nature, or how things work. These jobs need a lot of thinking and often involve working with ideas instead of people. Examples include scientists, lab technicians, and researchers.

Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.

Your Work Personalities

To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Real estate agents and salespersons
2023 OaSIS: 63101.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Inductive Reasoning
Verbal Ability
Information Ordering
Categorization Flexibility
Deductive Reasoning
Fluency of Ideas
Problem Identification
Written Comprehension
Written Expression

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Memorizing
Perceptual Speed
Pattern Organization Speed
Numerical Ability
Mathematical Reasoning
Multitasking
Pattern Identification
Spatial Orientation
Spatial Visualization
Selective Attention

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Stamina
Static Strength
Trunk Strength
Explosive Strength
Body Flexibility
Dynamic Strength
Gross Body Coordination
Gross Body Equilibrium
Multi-Limb Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
Rate Control
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control of Settings
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Multi-Signal Response
Reaction Time
Speed of Limb Movement

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Hearing Sensitivity
Speech Clarity
Peripheral Vision
Auditory Attention
Depth Perception
Far Vision
Glare Tolerance
Near Vision
Night Vision
Speech Recognition
Sound Localization
Colour Perception

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Real estate associates need:

  • Honesty and integrity
  • Energy and stamina to work long hours
  • Maturity, tact, and enthusiasm for their work
  • An outgoing personality and the ability to self-promote
  • Perseverance
  • A strong memory for names, faces, and business details
  • Organizational skills
  • Written and oral communication skills
  • Analytical, negotiating, and problem-solving skills
  • The ability to imagine how a property could be used or shown to its best advantage

They should enjoy helping people find homes. They should like taking a methodical approach to compiling information. They should enjoy working on their own in a highly competitive field.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Real estate agents and salespersons

2016 NOC: 6232

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 12 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 15, 2021 and Dec 01, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Assist prospective buyers in making offers of purchase on real estate properties
Tasks: Conduct open houses for prospective buyers
Tasks: Assist prospective buyers in selecting, visiting and inspecting real estate properties
Tasks: Draw up sales agreements for purchaser's and seller's approval
Tasks: Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements and related matters
Tasks: Solicit property sales listings from prospective vendors
Work under pressure
Tasks: Establish asking price
Draw up sales agreements for purchaser's and seller's approval
Assist prospective buyers in making offers of purchase on real estate properties
Tasks: Assist prospective buyers in making offers of purchase on real estate properties 6
Tasks: Conduct open houses for prospective buyers 5
Tasks: Assist prospective buyers in selecting, visiting and inspecting real estate properties 5
Tasks: Draw up sales agreements for purchaser's and seller's approval 5
Tasks: Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements and related matters 5
Tasks: Solicit property sales listings from prospective vendors 4
Work under pressure 4
Tasks: Establish asking price 4
Draw up sales agreements for purchaser's and seller's approval 4
Assist prospective buyers in making offers of purchase on real estate properties 4
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2022
  • Minimum Education High school diploma

To be successful, real estate associates need marketing and negotiating skills, computer skills, a driver’s licence, and reliable transportation.

To enter the profession in Alberta, they must complete all real estate pre-licensing courses as offered by the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA). For more information, see the Certification Requirements section.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Lakeland College
Thompson Rivers University
University of Calgary

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2022
  • Certification Provincially regulated

There are different licenses required in real estate based on the area that you wish to practice (such as residential, commercial, farm and acreage, etc.). Each area of real estate is very different from the next.

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Real Estate Broker or Property Manager

Real estate licences allow holders to practice in 1 or more areas. They can help clients sell, buy, lease, or manage residential, commercial, or rural properties.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Real Estate Act [pdf] and Real Estate Exemption Regulation [pdf], you must hold a real estate licence from the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to trade in real estate or engage in property management.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Real Estate Broker or Property Manager.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Real estate associates are independent businesspeople. They work for and are supervised by licensed real estate brokers. Real estate is very competitive and turnover in the first few years can be high.

Experienced real estate associates with training in the brokers program may advance to help in managing the brokerage. With more time on the job, they may operate their own brokerage. Real estate associates may become licensed property managers if they wish to specialize in this area.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Real estate agents and salespersons
2016 NOC: 6232

99.2% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Real estate agents and salespersons
2021 NOC: 63101
Cool
Job Market
15,400
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list
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iStock.com/filadendron
OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Real estate agents and salespersons
2016 NOC: 6232
2.0%
Annual Growth
(Below average)
172
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Jun 05, 2025

Real estate associates work for brokerages. They work on commission and must pay many of their expenses from their gross commissions. For example, real estate brokers may give their associates office space, supplies, and clerical support on a fee-for-service basis.

Earnings vary greatly from month to month and from one associate to another. Commission-based income depends on the volume of transactions a real estate associate takes part in. It also depends on ups and downs in the real estate market. In general, the top-selling associates in any real estate office earn most of the total earnings for all real estate associates.

Real estate associates are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 63101: Real estate agents and salespersons.

According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Real estate agents and salespersons occupational group earned on average from $22.05 to $41.69 an hour. The overall average was $30.34 an hour. For more information, see the Real estate agents and salespersons wage profile.

Related High School Subjects
  • Business, Administration, Finance and IT
    • Management and Marketing
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Personal and Food Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA) website: www.albertarealtor.ca

Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Canada website: bomacanada.ca

Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) website: www.reca.ca

Real Estate Institute of Canada (REIC) website: reic.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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