LinkedIn says real estate is one of the hottest industries for entry-level employees
This summer, millions of students change their careers and enter an uncertain job market. Outside of the crowded arenas of big tech and Wall Street, Gen Zers may have better luck getting into real estate. Against all odds, the stubborn housing market has become a hotbed for young talent.
In April, LinkedIn ranked real estate as the second-fastest growing field for new graduates over the past three years, including those who recently completed their high school diploma, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or apprenticeship. Real estate is only high in popular industries such as technology, information, and media, but it is higher than others such as financial services, utilities, and construction. The career forum also identified new real estate professionals as the third fastest growing role in the United States, according to a separate report for 2026.
Kory Kantenga, head of economics, Americas at LinkedIn, says Good luck that the real estate industry is particularly fruitful for workers who are just starting their careers. While some employers are pulling back from low-level hiring, real estate firms continue to invest in business activities that lead to significant growth. And since the sector touches on everything from housing construction to housing development, there are many early growth trends linked to “housing demand, commercial growth, and infrastructure expansion.” Pursuing a real estate job may raise questions about the current housing market, but LinkedIn found the industry to be “resilient” despite increased economic uncertainty.
“Companies are focusing on hiring in areas directly linked to growth and income, supported by housing in all sectors of the economy,” Kantenga explained.. “Business development, infrastructure investment, and housing continue to drive employment, even in weak labor markets.”
Real estate is also suitable for recent graduates who are changing employment strategies in an ever-changing job market. Kantenga points out that young professionals are looking for “thin line” gigs, including freelance work, contract opportunities, service jobs, and side-hustles. Real estate offers that job flexibility, the economist says; and, the industry is showing early signs of resilience against AI disruption. It is a profession that focuses on “unique human strengths” such as communication and relationship building.
“The young professionals who are finding success right now are the ones who are flexible and open to non-traditional approaches,” explains Kantenga. “The continued rise in real estate reflects a broader shift in the way jobs are started today.”
Gen Zer makes $75K his first year as a real estate agent
There are a number of ways to acquire housing: mortgages, property management, and real estate development. But becoming a real estate agent can be one of the best ways to break into the industry. The barrier to entry is low—no college degree required—and can quickly lead to six-figure success with the right work ethic.
Fernando “Fernie” Rodriguez started as a real estate agent for Douglas Elliman Real Estate, shortly after graduating from Florida State University in 2020. The 28-year-old had studied economics in college, had close experience working a summer at his father’s car dealership, but knew nothing about real estate. However, one mentor saw his potential, and decided to take a chance on the young graduate. Rodriguez gave up about $300 and three months of his time to get his Florida real estate license, paying an additional registration fee to join the brokerage. Then he hit the ground running.
Gen Zer began his career selling luxury homes and properties in South Miami as part of the Solis Chirino group of companies. At his first deal, a duplex for $2,400 a month, he was earning $400 from work and felt like “the richest man in the world.” The chase was insatiable; Rodriguez began making phone calls, door knocking, and attending industry events to build more momentum. And little by little his net worth started to rise as he earned more commissions. At the end of his first year, he earned $75,000—thousands of dollars more than the national average of $64,000—even though he received no official salary or benefits from his employer.
“Things started to have a snowball effect,” Rodriguez said Good luck. “Every year, I was earning more than the year before, and when I hit my five-year mark, I had that problem of, ‘I think I’m ready for more.'”
Last September, he jumped to Douglas Elliman’s Eklund|Gomes team: one of the company’s leading residential real estate groups, boasting an annual average of more than $4 billion in deals in more than a dozen cities. And with bigger opportunities coming to his desk, Gen Zer has seen his income grow. Now, he trades large real estate deals of up to $7.65 million like “cakes,” Rodriguez said.
However, the real estate agent cautions that his approach to real estate has not been an overnight success—and not everyone will be up to the challenge.
It takes consistent effort and dedication to make it in real estate
In many ways, real estate is a great game for many Gen Zers. Being an agent comes with flexible schedules, business freedom, and the ability to grow your income quickly. But to succeed in the profession, Rodriguez says prospective real estate agents must be prepared to grind and embrace uncertainty. There is no set salary to fall back on.
“It’s a high-risk, high-reward business,” explained the Florida-based agent. “I know a lot of people who get their license, and a few months later they give me a drink at the bar. They’re like, ‘Oh, I wasn’t selected for that. It wasn’t what I expected.’ It’s not for everyone. You have to be a good person, work hard and be consistent.”
Rodriguez cautions that work is not a get-rich-quick fix. When he started his career, he had to save a lot to meet his commission-based salary. But to really break through, he had to devote almost all of his effort to building his portfolio. That meant knocking on doors, cold calling potential salespeople, and extending her hours to serve clients in different time zones. And even when the checks are gone, he says it’s better to reinvest in yourself as an agent; Rodriguez always invests a portion of his income in marketing and promoting his business.
Another way to climb the ladder is to reach out for help, Rodriguez advises. Learning from experienced real estate agents is the fastest way to learn the ropes. Because beyond knowing the technicalities of selling real estate, honing skills like persuasion and relationship building are essential to closing multi-million dollar homes.
“The first thing anyone entering the industry should do is find a mentor,” Gen Zer said. “They soak up everything they do like a sponge, from the languages, the terms, the deals, to the logic behind it. Because real estate is truly 99% mental.”
