Commercial real estate agent (local niche)

Property owners and landlords who want a space leased or sold, and sometimes tenants or buyers who hire you to find space. Usually the commission is paid when the deal closes.

Commission on a lease or sale, usually split with your brokerage. Deals can be slow and uneven, so income often arrives in a few larger payments.

• Sales and negotiation
• Reading leases and basic property numbers
• Building a local network
• Following up patiently

• Licensing rules differ by state, so check your state's real estate commission for exams, courses and rules for commercial work
• Most states require you to work under a licensed broker, so check how the split, desk fees and any costs are set up
• Income is commission-only and may take months to start, so plan how you will cover living costs
• You are usually an independent contractor, so check self-employment tax, health insurance and your own errors and omissions insurance
• Check data subscription costs, such as listing and market data services, before you sign up

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your licensing courses, exam fees and brokerage arrangements. These are estimates only. Also check data subscription costs, such as listing and market data services, before you sign up.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on the deals you close. These are estimates. Income is commission-only and may take months to start, so plan how you will cover living costs in the meantime.

Licensing rules differ by state, so check your state's real estate commission for exams, courses and rules for commercial work. Most states require you to work under a licensed broker, so check how the split and desk fees are set up.