Current Washington Real Estate Income, Sales, and Trends

Real estate agents can find success selling property in Washington. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports facts about real estate agents, noting that brokers and listing agents had a median pay of $52,030 per year in 2022.¹

What Can Real Estate Agents Expect To Earn in Washington?

Leading job recruiters and outlets report that Washington real estate agents can earn more than this national median, with salaries averaging $84,459 per year. However, the range of real estate agent salaries in Washington can vary widely, depending on whether the person is a full-time or part-time real estate agent.

Even more, the type of property sold can impact overall earnings. The middle 50 percent of real estate agents in Washington can earn anywhere from $77,400 to $122,700, with high earners making up to $191,273, according to leading job recruiters.

Real Estate License Renewal and Mutual Recognition in Washington

Washington real estate broker licenses need to be renewed every two years, and fingerprint background checks have to be renewed every six years.

If you have an account with SecureAccess Washington (SAW), you’ll receive an email reminder when your renewal is due.

Real estate agents must meet several requirements before processing their Washington real estate license renewal.² These requirements vary depending on how long you’ve had your license and whether your current license is active or inactive.

If you’re renewing your real estate broker license for the first time (two years after the initial license was issued), you need to complete 90 hours of continuing education courses, including a 30-hour Advanced Practice course, a 30-hour Real Estate Law course, a 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Real Estate course, and another 27 hours of approved continuing education courses.

These courses are available through the same schools that offer pre-licensure courses throughout the state. Real estate agents must wait until after their initial license date to take these courses, but they can be taken anytime during the two-year window before renewal.

Long-time real estate agents don’t have to complete as many continuing education courses for subsequent renewals. These renewals require 30 continuing education hours, including the 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Real Estate course.

The remaining 27 hours can be any approved real estate course. Fifteen of those continuing education hours must be completed within 24 months of the license renewal date.

Like the initial license application, the renewal license can be submitted online or by mail. The online application through SAW is recommended, as it’s the most efficient way to renew the license.

Once you’re logged into your SAW account, you should see a license renewal button when you’re eligible to apply for a renewal. Note that fingerprint results need to be current in order to complete the renewal.

Real estate agents may also print and mail the Real Estate License Renewal form.³ Mail the completed form and a $223 check or money order to the following address:

Real Estate Licensing
Department of Licensing
P.O. Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3856

Real estate agents with an inactive Washington license should contact the Department of Licensing to find out if any continuing education courses are required. The department is available for these questions via email at [email protected].

Generally, real estate agents can reinstate their license if it’s been expired for two years or less.

If you’re looking to reinstate a license, you must complete 60 hours of continuing education courses, which must include the 30-hour Real Estate Law course. You also must pay a $100 reinstatement penalty fine and pay back all missed renewal fees plus penalties.

The license reinstatement process is similar to a renewal once these requirements are met. You can reinstate your license online through SAW or by mail using the Real Estate License Renewal form linked above.

It’s a good idea to reach out to the Department of Licensing to confirm all required reinstatement fees before submitting the application.

Washington also allows real estate agents who are licensed in another state to apply for a Washington license by reciprocity.⁴ Securing this license allows them to tap into real estate opportunities in Washington.

If you’re looking to secure a reciprocity license in Washington, you need to have a license in good standing from another state that was earned in the previous six months. Real estate agents from any state are eligible to apply.

Additionally, you must meet the same requirements as initial license applicants, including the following:

• Be age 18 or older
• Have a high school degree or equivalent
• Be prepared to submit a license history from their previous state, which may include verification of current license
• Complete a fingerprint background check

If you’re applying for a reciprocity license, you will need to take the Washington Real Estate Broker Reciprocity Exam through PSI Testing Excellence. To begin, complete the Real Estate Broker/Managing Broker Exam Application and submit it to the address below.⁵

Real Estate Licensing
Department of Licensing
P.O. Box 9021
Olympia, WA 98507-9021

Then, you can schedule the exam, including exams taken out of state, on the PSI Candidate Services site.⁶ After successfully completing the exam, you can apply for your license by setting up an account with SecureAccess Washington (SAW).⁷

Once all requirements are met, click the Apply for a License button and pay the licensure fee ($223) plus a $10 research fee. Like the real estate broker license, the reciprocity license in Washington is valid for two years.