The Truth About Agents: 2025 survey results

by Chicago Agent

April 07, 2025

Welcome to the 2025 edition of the Truth About Agents — where readers tell us what’s what in Chicagoland residential real estate.

This annual report examines agent income, training priorities, client profiles, new construction, sales teams, AI use and more.

We asked, and you answered! Throughout February and March, loyal readers responded to our detailed survey to offer a clearer picture of how real estate professionals are doing in Chicagoland. Now, see how you stack up alongside your peers. Is your compensation on par? Does your marketing carry the same emphasis? What do managing brokers see as the most important training for their agents? Do you agree? And overall, are your fellow agents optimistic or pessimistic about the industry?

Answers to these questions and more lie in the data presented here. Interestingly, Chicago Agent has conducted this survey for multiple years, which offers the opportunity to investigate changes over time. This year, we dove deep into earnings to determine the percentage of agents earning $200,000 or more per year and $100,000 or more per year, and how that’s evolved since 2020.

Another hot topic is this year is AI, namely how agents are using it and whether they view it as effective. AI is shaping every business sector and real estate is no exception. Based on the survey results, it’s clear agents continue to embrace this new technology.