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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.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 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

2006 NOC: 6232

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

Interest in persuading to solicit property sales listings from prospective vendors; may rent or lease properties on behalf of clients

METHODICAL

Interest in compiling information to advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements and related matters

directive

Interest in assisting prospective buyers in selecting, visiting, inspecting and making offers to purchase on real estate properties

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

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

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 14, 2024.

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
Work under pressure
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: Conduct open houses for prospective buyers
Financial benefits: Commission
Conduct open houses for prospective buyers
Use real estate software packages
Assist prospective buyers in selecting, visiting and inspecting real estate properties
Tasks: Assist prospective buyers in making offers of purchase on real estate properties 5
Work under pressure 4
Tasks: Assist prospective buyers in selecting, visiting and inspecting real estate properties 4
Tasks: Draw up sales agreements for purchaser's and seller's approval 4
Tasks: Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements and related matters 4
Tasks: Conduct open houses for prospective buyers 4
Financial benefits: Commission 4
Conduct open houses for prospective buyers 4
Use real estate software packages 4
Assist prospective buyers in selecting, visiting and inspecting 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 short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta 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
Lower
Demand
10,300
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 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
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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 Mar 31, 2022

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.

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.

Real estate agents and salespersons

2016 NOC: 6232
Average Wage
$37.87
Per Hour
Average Salary
$86,205.00
Per Year
Average Hours
42.5
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 6232 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $19.23 $53.63 $27.19 $22.69
Overall $23.08 $55.48 $37.87 $38.46
Top $23.08 $76.92 $58.25 $60.10

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Construction
ALL INDUSTRIES $86,205
Construction $76,813

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
52%
52%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
50%
50%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
24%
24%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
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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