Top Paid Real Estate Agents: Who’s Making The Most In 2025?
This roundup of the top paid real estate agents in the U.S. reveals who’s leading the industry by sales volume — and what they’re doing differently to close hundreds of millions (or even billions) in deals. Whether you're an aspiring top producer or just curious who's at the top, this list breaks it all down.
When it comes to top earners in real estate, the numbers are staggering. Some agents aren’t just closing deals—they’re closing thousands of sides and raking in billions in annual sales volume. These elite professionals represent the top 1% of the industry, often dominating luxury markets, partnering with developers, and running streamlined operations that scale with precision.
In this post, we’ll reveal the top paid real estate agents in the U.S. based on total closed sales volume—a strong indicator of income potential. You’ll see who’s at the top, how much volume they move, where they operate, and what sets them apart. We’ll also share what you can learn from their strategies, plus estimated commission earnings that put their success into perspective.
Whether you're an agent looking to climb the ranks or simply curious who’s crushing it in 2025, this list offers insight, inspiration, and a closer look at the highest-earning real estate agents in the country.
How We Defined “Top Paid Real Estate Agents”
When people search for the top paid real estate agents in the U.S., they’re often referring to the agents who generate the most income from sales commissions. While real estate agents don’t typically share their earnings, one of the most reliable indicators of income is total closed sales volume—the total dollar value of the homes they’ve helped clients buy or sell.
To create this list, we used the most recent rankings from Real Trends, a trusted industry authority that tracks real estate performance nationwide. Their annual rankings are based on verified production data submitted by agents and brokerages and reviewed for accuracy.
Our criteria, based on RealTrends data:
Total Residential Sales Volume (2024 calendar year)
Number of Transaction Sides Closed
Agent Name, Brokerage, and Market Area
Solo Agents Only (no teams or brokerages included in this list)
While actual commission income can vary by market and commission split, sales volume gives us a strong indication of which agents are earning the most in real estate today.
Highest Earning Real Estate Agents 2025
Top 10 Highest Earning Real Estate Agents 2025
These are the top paid real estate agents in America, ranked by total residential sales volume for the 2024 production year, according to data from Real Trends. Each of these agents is a solo powerhouse—no teams, no brokerages—just incredible individual performance.
They’ve mastered everything from builder partnerships to luxury listings, and their sales numbers show it.
1. Ben Caballero — HomesUSA.com, Inc
Location: Dallas, TX
Sales Volume: $3.92 Billion
Transaction Sides: 7,722
Ben Caballero is not just the top-paid agent in the U.S.—he’s in a league of his own. Specializing in builder listings, Ben has automated and scaled his process to close thousands of transactions annually, earning him multiple Guinness World Records and top rankings year after year.
2. Deborah Kern — Corcoran
Location: New York, NY
Sales Volume: $1.12 Billion
Transaction Sides: 122
Operating in the ultra-luxury market of Manhattan, Deborah Kern represents elite clientele and closes high-value properties with precision. Her deep market knowledge and white-glove service set her apart in one of the world’s most competitive real estate arenas.
3. Christian Angle — Christian Angle Real Estate
Location: Palm Beach, FL
Sales Volume: $792.35 Million
Transaction Sides: 35
Christian Angle’s boutique firm focuses on some of the most prestigious properties in Florida. With an average transaction well into the multimillion-dollar range, he’s built a reputation for discretion, exclusivity, and high-end dealmaking.
4. Jonathan Minerick — Home Coin
Location: San Diego, CA
Sales Volume: $764.81 Million
Transaction Sides: 1,556
Jonathan Minerick’s flat-fee model through Home Coin has disrupted traditional brokerage models. By offering affordable listing services and technology-driven systems, he closes a massive number of sides while helping sellers save on commission.
5. Drew Fenton — Carolwood Estates
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Sales Volume: $750.00 Million
Transaction Sides: 31
A staple of Los Angeles luxury real estate, Drew Fenton consistently lists and sells iconic estates in Beverly Hills and beyond. His client list includes celebrities, executives, and ultra-high-net-worth buyers from around the world.
6. Steven Koleno — Dream Town Real Estate
Location: Chicago, IL
Sales Volume: $703.65 Million
Transaction Sides: 2,088
Known for his volume-first approach, Steven Koleno handles a staggering number of deals annually. His data-driven process and focus on customer service have earned him a reputation for both efficiency and results.
7. Thomas Ullrich — RE/MAX Professionals
Location: Englewood, CO
Sales Volume: $665.07 Million
Transaction Sides: 1,035.5
With a focus on the booming Colorado market, Thomas Ullrich combines high deal flow with local expertise. His production numbers reflect both a wide market reach and deep client trust.
8. David Roberts — Royal Palm Properties
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Sales Volume: $623.88 Million
Transaction Sides: 51
David Roberts is a go-to agent for buyers and sellers in South Florida’s most prestigious communities. His consistent presence in high-end markets has kept him on top for years.
9. Chris Cortazzo — Compass
Location: Malibu, CA
Sales Volume: $596.93 Million
Transaction Sides: 58
Chris Cortazzo dominates the Malibu coastline, where oceanfront estates regularly exceed $10 million. His marketing prowess and deep community connections keep him at the top of the Compass network.
10. Tracy Campion — Campion and Company
Location: Boston, MA
Sales Volume: $528.16 Million
Transaction Sides: 83
Tracy Campion leads Boston’s luxury market with a blend of boutique service and powerhouse performance. Her clients range from developers to international buyers looking for premier city properties.
Traits of the Highest Earning Realtors in America
Traits of the Highest Earning Realtors in America
The top paid real estate agents in the U.S. don’t just get lucky—they operate at an entirely different level. Whether they’re working with homebuilders, luxury buyers, or high-volume investors, these agents have developed systems, strategies, and skills that separate them from the average Realtor®.
If you’re looking to break into the top 1%, here’s what the industry’s highest performers consistently have in common:
Traits of the Best Paid Real Estate Agents
Hyper-Specialization Many top agents dominate a niche—whether it's new construction, ultra-luxury listings, or flat-fee services.
High Operational Efficiency From automation to outsourcing, they streamline everything to handle more transactions without burning out.
Brand Authority Top agents invest in high-end branding, public relations, and personal marketing to attract premium clients.
Exclusive Market Access Many operate in elite zip codes where home prices—and commissions—are significantly higher.
Powerful Lead Systems Whether through referrals, SEO, or platforms like Showable’s open house management, they capture, nurture, and convert leads consistently.
Want to reach the next level? Start by studying how these agents leverage tools, tech, and trust to build scalable success.
Cities Where Real Estate Agents Earn the Most
Top Cities Where Real Estate Agents Earn the Most
Real estate success isn’t just about talent—it’s also about location. Many of the highest paid agents in America operate in luxury markets or booming metros where home prices—and commission checks—are significantly higher.
If you're wondering where the top-producing solo agents work, these cities and regions stand out as hotspots for high-volume deals and high-dollar listings.
Top Markets for High-Earning Real Estate Agents
Beverly Hills, CA – A magnet for ultra-luxury listings and celebrity clientele
Palm Beach, FL – Exclusive oceanfront estates with eight-figure price tags
New York, NY – Dense urban market with sky-high per-transaction value
Dallas, TX – A booming builder market ideal for volume-focused agents
San Diego, CA – High turnover, high prices, and tech-savvy sellers
Chicago, IL – Strong investor presence and active resale market
Boston, MA – Wealthy urban and suburban buyers drive luxury sales
These markets give top agents access to high-value properties, but that alone isn’t enough. The best paid Realtors® still need to combine market expertise, client service, and marketing savvy to stay at the top.
How Much Do Top Paid Real Estate Agents Actually Make? (Estimated)
You’ve seen the sales volumes—now let’s break down what that means in real income. While real estate agents don’t receive a salary, their earnings are driven by commissions, usually a percentage of the sale price. For top producers, those commission checks can add up to tens of millions annually.
Even though commission rates and splits vary, we can estimate what these top-earning agents are likely taking home based on average national standards.
Top agents with teams may split with junior agents, admins, or marketing staff
After expenses, top solo agents can still net millions per year
For example, Ben Caballero’s $3.92 billion in volume could translate to nearly $100 million in gross commission potential, depending on his business model. Of course, these numbers represent the very top of the industry—but they offer a powerful glimpse into what’s possible with volume, systems, and market focus.
How Much Do Top Paid Real Estate Agents Actually Make
Can You Become a Top Paid Agent? What It Takes to Reach the Top
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to become one of the top paid real estate agents—even if you're not selling oceanfront estates in Malibu. The agents on this list didn’t get there by luck—they built systems, invested in their brand, and focused relentlessly on generating and converting leads.
You don’t need celebrity clients or billion-dollar builders to start scaling. In fact, many top agents grow their business by mastering the fundamentals—like using open houses as a consistent lead generation strategy.
Steps to Become a High-Earning Real Estate Agent:
Find Your Niche Whether it's luxury homes, investors, relocations—or open house marketing—own one part of the market and dominate it.
Leverage Technology Use tools like Showable to capture every lead and follow up automatically.
Build Your Brand Invest in professional marketing that positions you as the go-to expert in your farm area or specialty.
Master Follow-Up Most agents lose leads by not following up. Top agents use systems that nurture every contact until they’re ready to move.
Scale Through Listings Listings give you leverage, attract more buyers, and feed your pipeline with seller leads.
Common real estate compensation questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Top Paid Real Estate Agents
How much do top real estate agents make?
Top-producing solo agents can earn millions of dollars per year in gross commission income. Agents with over $500 million in sales volume typically generate $10M–$15M in gross commission, depending on their market and splits. After expenses, many still net seven-figure incomes annually.
Who is the highest paid real estate agent in the U.S.?
As of 2025, Ben Caballero of HomesUSA.com remains the highest-paid real estate agent in the U.S., with over $3.9 billion in annual sales volume. He specializes in builder partnerships and closed more than 7,700 transaction sides in one year.
What commission do real estate agents earn?
Most agents earn 2.5% to 3% per transaction side, though that can vary by location and brokerage agreement. On a $1 million home, a 2.5% commission equals $25,000 in gross income before splits or fees.
Can you become a millionaire from real estate sales?
Yes. Many agents on the Real Trends top rankings are self-made millionaires who built their businesses through repeatable systems, niche marketing, and high-volume production. Consistent open house marketing, farming, and strong follow-up can all contribute to long-term wealth.
Do you have to sell luxury real estate to make the most money?
Not necessarily. While luxury listings offer higher per-deal commissions, some of the highest paid agents focus on volume instead. Agents like Jonathan Minerick and Steven Koleno have closed thousands of lower-priced transactions by streamlining their systems and marketing to motivated sellers.
Where can I find the full rankings of top real estate agents?
The full list is published annually by Real Trends, the industry’s most trusted source for verified real estate production data.
Conclusion: Lessons from the Highest Paid Real Estate Agents in the U.S.
The top-paid real estate agents didn’t get there by chance—they built systems, specialized in niches, and leveraged every opportunity to scale. Whether you're aiming for luxury listings or building a high-volume business, the path to the top is paved with lead generation, follow-up, and consistency.
One of the most powerful (and underused) tools? Open houses. When used strategically, they don’t just sell homes—they help agents dominate their local markets and generate a steady stream of listings and buyer leads.
If you’re ready to capture more leads and turn every open house into a growth opportunity, try Showable. From digital sign-ins to automated follow-up and CRM integration, it’s the only platform built specifically to help real estate agents grow their pipeline with every open house.
