If you're searching for real estate jobs in Canada, you've probably noticed more posts about real estate hiring and "real estate jobs near me." Real estate can be a rewarding career with flexibility, independence, and strong long-term income potential, but it's not a fit for everyone.
This guide breaks down what the work actually looks like, the skills that matter most, and the different real estate employment opportunities available so you can decide whether this is the right career move. If you're serious about exploring a real estate career, start by understanding the learning path. Our Fundamentals of Real Estate course is designed to build the base knowledge you'll use every day.
Quick self-assessment: is real estate a good fit for you?
Real estate may be right for you if you:
- Enjoy helping people make high-stakes decisions
- Can build relationships and follow up consistently
- Are comfortable with sales conversations and negotiation
- Can handle variable income (especially early on)
- Stay organized with deadlines, paperwork, and details
Real estate may not be the best fit if you:
- Need a fully predictable schedule every week
- Prefer work with minimal client communication
- Dislike networking, outreach, or handling objections
- Want quick results without a ramp-up period
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros (why people choose real estate) — and what to be ready for
-
Pro: Flexible schedule and independence.
Con: Evenings and weekends can be common (client-driven calendar). -
Pro: Strong income upside over time (often commission-based).
Con: Income can be inconsistent, especially early on. -
Pro: Work that's social and meaningful by helping clients through major milestones.
Con: Emotional situations, high-stakes decisions, and pressure to perform. -
Pro: Variety in day-to-day work (showings, strategy, negotiation, marketing).
Con: Heavy administration: documents, deadlines, compliance, details. -
Pro: Skills transfer well (sales, negotiation, marketing, operations).
Con: Requires consistent prospecting and follow-up to build your pipeline. -
Pro: Multiple career paths: agent, broker, commercial, operations.
Con: Ramp-up takes time; results usually aren't immediate.
What do real estate agent jobs actually involve?
Many people picture real estate agent jobs as mostly showings and handing over keys. In reality, the day-to-day often includes:
- Lead generation, networking, and follow-ups
- Client consultations (buyers and sellers)
- Pricing guidance and market education
- Preparing listings and coordinating marketing
- Hosting open houses and managing inquiries
- Writing offers, negotiating terms, and managing conditions
- Coordinating with lenders, lawyers, inspectors, and other agents
If you like variety, people work, and problem-solving, these can be some of the most dynamic jobs within real estate.
Putting clients at the centre (your biggest growth lever)
Client experience is everything. The agents who last are the ones who build trust, communicate clearly, and advocate for clients through stressful decisions.
Skills that directly improve outcomes:
- Clear communication and expectation-setting
- Active listening and empathy
- Negotiation and persuasion
- Calm problem-solving under time pressure
- Strong customer service and responsiveness
Many agents build their business through referrals, which is why client-first habits often lead to the most sustainable real estate employment opportunities long-term.
Being your own boss (and the reality behind "flexible hours")
A real estate career can give you control over your schedule but clients and deadlines still drive your calendar. Flexibility often means:
- Working evenings and weekends when clients are available
- Managing a heavy administrative load
- Running your own marketing and pipeline
- Staying consistent even when motivation dips
If you're considering part time real estate jobs, this is especially important: part-time can work, but only if you can maintain consistent follow-up and availability when deals move fast. Building confidence with the process helps a lot, especially once you move into real scenarios covered in our Practice of Residential Real Estate course.
Income potential: why "the sky's the limit" depends on consistency
Real estate markets shift, but people continue to buy and sell in every climate. Because many roles are commission-based, your income tends to reflect:
- Your lead generation and follow-up systems
- Your ability to convert relationships into clients
- Your local market and niche
- Your skill growth over time
If you're drawn to high paying real estate jobs, go in with a plan for the ramp-up phase, because most people don't hit their stride immediately. For Canada-wide labour market information and region-specific details, the Government of Canada Job Bank can be a useful reference point.
Types of real estate jobs in Canada (beyond the classic agent path)
If you're exploring real estate jobs near me, it helps to know what's out there. Common paths include:
Real estate agent jobs — Client-facing sales work focused on buying and selling residential properties.
Real estate broker jobs — Often involves additional responsibility, oversight, and education (requirements vary by province). If you like leadership or operations, this path can be a great fit.
Commercial real estate jobs — Commercial real estate jobs can include leasing, investment sales, and corporate client work. Timelines can be longer, and relationships often matter even more.
Remote, salaried, and entry-level real estate jobs — Depending on the company, you may also find:
- remote real estate jobs (some coordination, marketing, admin, or operations roles)
- salaried real estate jobs (more common in corporate real estate or operations)
- entry level real estate jobs (assistant, coordinator, admin roles that help you learn the industry)
Other real estate-adjacent career options
If you like the industry but don't want to be an agent, you might consider:
- property management jobs / property management positions
- home staging jobs
These are great "jobs within real estate" for people who prefer operations, design, tenant relations, or asset support.
How to become a real estate agent in Canada (high-level overview)
Licensing and education requirements vary by province. In most cases, you'll follow a path like:
- Complete your province's required pre-licensing education
- Pass the licensing exam(s)
- Register/get licensed and affiliate with the appropriate brokerage structure
- Build systems for lead generation, follow-up, and service delivery
Licensing requirements vary by province. If you're planning to practise in Alberta, here's the step-by-step Alberta licensing pathway so you know exactly what to expect before booking your exam. In Alberta, licensing and exams are overseen by the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA).
FAQ: Real estate careers in Canada
Are real estate agent jobs hard?
Real estate agent jobs can be challenging at first. Success typically requires consistent lead generation, strong follow-up, negotiation skills, and comfort managing paperwork and deadlines.
Is there real estate hiring in Canada right now?
Real estate hiring levels vary by region and market conditions, but real estate employment opportunities exist across Canada due to ongoing demand and industry turnover.
How do I get started in real estate in Canada?
Requirements vary by province, but most paths include completing pre-licensing education, passing the required exam(s), meeting registration requirements, and working with the appropriate brokerage structure.
What is the difference between real estate agent jobs and real estate broker jobs?
Real estate agents typically represent clients under a brokerage, while brokers often have additional education and responsibilities such as supervision, compliance, and brokerage operations depending on provincial rules.
Are there entry level real estate jobs that aren't sales?
Yes. Some entry level real estate jobs include assistant, coordinator, administration, marketing, or operations roles. These can help you learn the industry before moving into a client-facing sales role.
What other jobs within real estate should I consider?
Beyond agent and broker roles, other jobs within real estate include property management jobs, home staging jobs, and some corporate or commercial real estate roles depending on your interests and strengths.
Ready to get started?
Our Real Estate Course Bundle includes both the Fundamentals of Real Estate and the Practice of Residential Real Estate courses with built-in savings and a study path tailored to you. Start building your real estate career with Relo.