What’s the Highest-Paying Job in Real Estate?

The highest-paying jobs in real estate combine multiple income streams from commissions and investments to leadership and revenue share. Top agents in regions like the South Okanagan earn more by building scalable systems, leveraging modern brokerages like eXp Realty, and treating real estate like a long-term business, not a short-term hustle.

1. The Sales Bucket — The Foundation

Every REALTOR® starts here.
Commissions from helping buyers and sellers form the core income stream of any successful career. But in markets like Penticton, Oliver, and Osoyoos, where relationships and reputation matter most, top earners go beyond transactions.

They focus on service, market data, and community connection — because that’s what drives repeat business and referrals.

If you can turn one happy client into five new introductions, your foundation is strong.

2. The Referral Bucket — Multiply, Don’t Chase

The best REALTORS® don’t chase leads all year they create ecosystems that generate leads for them.
Referrals from satisfied clients, business owners, and out-of-town agents become passive income sources that keep your business flowing even when you’re not prospecting.

Agents who master client experience and stay connected long after the sale often find that referrals out-earn cold calls in the long run.

3. The Investment Bucket — Building Wealth, Not Just Income

High-earning agents think like investors.
They don’t just sell real estate they own it. From flipping homes to acquiring rental properties or partnering on small developments, investments are where wealth grows quietly behind the scenes.

This is where experience in construction and renovations (like mine) becomes a powerful advantage. Understanding costs, zoning, and potential lets you identify opportunities others overlook.

4. The Leadership Bucket — Building Teams and Mentorship

At a certain stage, every top producer realizes there’s a limit to how many deals one person can handle.
That’s when they start building a team, mentoring others, and sharing the systems that brought them success.

With eXp Realty, that growth is amplified through technology and community. You can collaborate with agents across Canada and the world while earning leadership bonuses for helping others succeed.

This turns your experience into equity, your mentorship into income, and your reputation into a legacy.

5. The Revenue Share Bucket — The Game Changer

Finally, the fifth bucket often the most misunderstood: revenue share.
It’s the model that allows agents at brokerages like eXp Realty to earn a share of company revenue simply by helping other agents join and thrive.

It’s not MLM. It’s professional collaboration that rewards contribution and mentorship. The more you help others succeed, the more your network grows financially and relationally.

This model has created some of the highest-earning REALTORS® in North America, not because they work harder, but because they work smarter and together.

So, What’s the Highest-Paying Job in Real Estate?

It’s the one where you build multiple buckets not just one.
The REALTORS® who rise to the top understand that the future of real estate isn’t just about sales; it’s about systems, scalability, and service.

That’s why I believe the next wave of top agents right here in the South Okanagan, won’t be defined by their commission cheques, but by the impact they create and the opportunities they share.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to move to Vancouver or Toronto to achieve financial freedom in real estate.
You can build it right here in Penticton, Oliver, or Osoyoos with the right mentorship, systems, and community around you.

And if you’re already in real estate and looking to expand your income beyond sales, let’s talk. I’ve built my career around helping others do exactly that one bucket, one connection, one breakthrough at a time.

Ready to Connect?

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or joining a forward-thinking real estate team, I’d love to connect.
I’m Riccardo (Rico) Manazza, REALTOR® with eXp Realty | South Okanagan, and part of the My Property Central Real Estate Group — helping clients and agents succeed across Penticton, Oliver, Osoyoos, and beyond.

💬 Reach out anytime:
📞 Call or text: 236-457-4230
📧 Email: rico@mypropertycentral.ca
🌐 Website: www.riccardomanazza.realtor
🏡 Explore more lifestyle stories: livingintheokanagan.ca
🤝 Team & listings: mypropertycentral.ca
📅 Book a meeting: Book A Call with Rico

Let’s Stay Connected

If you enjoyed this article or want to stay in touch with what’s happening in the South Okanagan real estate market, let’s connect online:

📸 Instagram: @riccardo_manazza_exp_realty
📘 Facebook: @riccardo.manazza.exp
💼 LinkedIn: Riccardo (Rico) Manazza

Follow for weekly market updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and tips from one of the Most dedicated REALTORS® in the Okanagan with eXp Realty and the My Property Central Real Estate Group.

 For immediate assistance or to schedule a showing, contact my assistant (available 24/7) at 236-500-6778.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or legal advice. Eligibility criteria and program details are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified mortgage professional and licensed REALTOR® for the most current information.