This summer, millions of students are plunging into an uncertain job market. Aside from checking out the crowded spaces of Big Tech and Wall Street, Gen Zers might have luck getting into real estate. Despite all odds, the stubborn housing market has developed into a hotspot for young talent.
In April, LinkedIn rank Real estate is the second-fastest growing sector for new college graduates over the past three years, including those who recently completed their high school diploma, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or apprenticeship. Real estate is only led by popular industries such as technology, information and media, but still ranks higher than others such as financial services, utilities and construction. The job platform also identified According to another, new home sales specialists are the third fastest growing role in the United States Report 2026.
Kory Kantenga, head of Americas at LinkedIn, shares Assets that the real estate industry is particularly fruitful for career starters. As other employers pull back on hiring, real estate firms continue to invest in business functions that drive tangible growth. And since the sector touches everything from real estate transactions to development to housing construction, there are more career opportunities tied to “housing demand, commercial growth and infrastructure expansion.” Pursuing a real estate job may raise questions in the current real estate market, but LinkedIn noted that the industry has “persevered” despite increasing economic uncertainty.
“Companies are focusing hiring in areas directly linked to growth and revenue, which real estate supports across all sectors of the economy,” explainskantega. “Commercial real estate development, infrastructure investment and housing construction are still driving hiring, even in a labor market with little momentum.”
Real estate is also perfect for recent college graduates looking to change their employment strategy in an ever-changing job market. Kantenga points out that young professionals are looking for “less linear” jobs, including freelance work, contract opportunities, service jobs and side hustles. Real estate offers flexibility that works, says the economist; Additionally, the industry is showing early signs of resilience to AI disruption. It is a profession based on “unique human strengths” such as networking and relationship building.
“Young professionals who are currently successful often remain flexible and open to non-traditional paths,” explainskantega. “The continued rise of the real estate industry reflects the broader shift in the way careers are launched today.”
A Gen Zer earned $75,000 in his first year as a real estate agent
There are a number of ways to acquire real estate: mortgage lending, property management and home building. But training to be a real estate agent could be one of the best career paths for breaking into the industry. The barrier to entry is low – no college degree required – and with the right work ethic, it can even quickly lead to six-figure success.
Fernando “Fernie” Rodriguez became a real estate agent for Douglas Elliman Real Estate immediately after graduating from Florida State University in 2020. The 28-year-old had studied economics in college and had some professional experience working at his father’s car dealership during the summer, but he had no knowledge of selling houses. However, a mentor saw his potential and decided to give the young graduate a try. Rodriguez sacrificed around $300 and three months of his time to get his Florida real estate license and paid another application fee to join the brokerage. Then he immediately set off.
Generation Zer began her career selling luxury homes and real estate in South Miami as part of the company’s Solis Chirino Group. On his first deal, a duplex rental for $2,400 a month, he earned $400 in commission and felt like “the richest man on the planet.” The rush was insatiable; Rodriguez began cold calling, door knocking, and attending industry events to build more momentum. And his net worth began to steadily increase as he earned more and more commissions. By the end of his first year, he had raised $75,000 – thousands of dollars more than that National average of around $64,000 – despite receiving no formal salary or benefits from his employer
“Things snowballed,” Rodriguez says Assets. “Year after year, I made more than I had the year before, and then when I hit my five-year mark, I felt like, ‘I think I’m ready for more.'”
Last September, he made the jump to Douglas Elliman’s Eklund|Gomes team: one of the company’s leading residential real estate groups, with an annual average of over $4 billion in deals in more than a dozen cities. And the more opportunities he had, the greater his income became for Generation Zers. Now he flips through real estate deals up to $7.65 million like they’re pancakes, Rodriguez says.
However, the real estate agent warns that his real estate business wasn’t an overnight success – and not everyone is cut out for the challenge.
It takes consistent effort and sacrifice to make it in real estate
In many ways, the real estate industry is a great fit for many Generation Z careers. Working as a broker brings with it flexible schedules, entrepreneurial freedom, and the opportunity to quickly increase income. But to be successful in this profession, Rodriguez says potential real estate agents must be willing to face and embrace uncertainty. There is no fixed salary to fall back on.
“It’s a high-risk, high-reward business,” explains the Florida-based agent. “I know a lot of people who get their driver’s license and a few months later they serve me a drink in a bar. I’m like, ‘What happened?’ They say, “Oh, I’m not cut out for this.” It wasn’t what I expected.’ It’s not for everyone. You have to be a good person, work hard and be consistent.”
Rodriguez warns that the profession is not a get-rich-quick solution. When he first started, he had to be extremely frugal to make ends meet on his commission earnings. But to really get through, he had to put almost all of his energy into building his portfolio. That meant knocking on doors, calling potential salespeople and stretching his hours to serve customers in different time zones. And even if the paychecks have increased, he thinks it’s best to reinvest in yourself as an agent; Rodriguez always puts a portion of his income into advertising and marketing his company.
Another way to climb the ladder is to reach out for a helping hand, advises Rodriguez. Learning from experienced real estate agents is the quickest way to get up to speed. Because in addition to knowing the technical details of selling a home, strengthening skills like persuasion and relationship building are crucial to closing on multi-million dollar homes.
“The most important thing anyone entering this industry should do is find a mentor,” says Gen Zers. “Soak up everything they do like a sponge, from the languages, to the terms, to the offers, to the psychology behind it. Because real estate is honestly 99% psychology.”