Since most people in the real estate industry work entirely on commission, becoming a real estate agent requires a leap of faith. That’s why some agents may choose to test the waters by working part-time while maintaining a steady income from another job.
However, some people entering real estate plan only to work part-time to supplement their household income. Still, others may use real estate as a part-time job to supplement their retirement. Some aspiring agents are attracted to the field because they seek a better work-life balance and want to work part-time.
Whether you’re looking into real estate career opportunities as a part-time job or a brand new, full-time career, it’s helpful to have the assistance of a top-tier real estate school that will help you learn strategies for working smarter.
In short, part-time real estate in Arizona is good for many different types of people, including the following:
Real estate agents typically set their own hours. Having a flexible schedule is one reason people are attracted to the profession. However, it’s worth noting that most real estate agents work evenings and weekends. After all, they must meet with clients when they are available. This may be a perfect schedule if you plan to keep your full-time job and supplement your income with real estate commissions.
Regardless of how many hours you work, a real estate agent must work for a brokerage and have a broker oversee their work. Some brokerages happily take on new agents who plan to work part-time. However, other brokerages may prefer to train only full-time agents. Being upfront with a brokerage is important if you plan to work in real estate as a side gig.
Yes, you can become a part-time real estate agent in AZ. However, similar to full-time real estate agents, you must earn a real estate license. The licensing requirements are straightforward in Arizona and include the following steps:
You can become a real estate agent in Arizona in one to three months. Even if you only plan to sell a few homes a year, completing these requirements establishes your credibility and ensures you are legally compliant with state laws.
If you plan on working in the industry part-time, you may be nervous about having enough time to devote to your real estate career. One successful real estate agent advises new part-time agents to align with a brokerage that offers assistance with paperwork. In addition, “You should operate like a full-time professional with clear expectations about your earning potential even if you plan on working part-time,” said Valorie Easter, a part-time real estate agent.
Easter worked part-time for two years while her children were young. She offers these tips for effective part-time real estate:
“If you work part-time you need to focus on generating business or going on appointments. Paperwork is not necessarily a money-maker,” Easter says.
For those who don’t want to “hit the pavement,” Easter recommends another method for being a part-time agent. “Create a referral network. Refer buyers and sellers out to other agents locally and across the country. You can ask for a 25 to 30 percent or more referral fee when the property closes. You really can control your time and costs with referrals.”
Retired real estate agent Lee Dworshak believes that working with an established team and an administrative assistant is crucial to a new part-time agent's success.
“If you are unavailable, your team member can make the appointment,” Dworshak said. By leveraging a team, you ensure your clients always have support, even when you are at your other job or spending time with family.
The earning potential for part-time agents can be surprisingly lucrative, depending on your dedication and market conditions. In a 2025 survey of Arizona School of Real Estate (ASREB) alumni, 15% of those surveyed who work part time earn six figures.
While this data highlights that full-time commitment often correlates with higher income, it also proves that part-time agents can still achieve significant financial milestones.
You’ve learned that many real estate agents do not work 40 hours per week, although data suggests that those making the most money work longer than eight-hour days.
It’s also interesting that real estate is often a second career. Many people who enter the industry had a previous career in management, business, finance, sales, or retail. These prior experiences often provide valuable transferable skills, such as negotiation and customer service, which can give new agents a head start.
What about you? Do you plan to keep your full-time job and work as a part-time real estate agent? Or are you jumping in with both feet—and planning to work as many hours as necessary to earn the income you desire?
Regardless of your career goals, the first step in starting a career in real estate is to sign up for a real estate course.
The Arizona School of Real Estate & Business (ASREB) has been helping people enter the profession for decades. We offer state-specific pre-licensing coursework and tons of resources for beginning agents. In addition, ASREB has the highest pass rate in the state!
Start today by learning the requirements in Arizona, and then sign up for in-person, livestream, or online courses offered by ASREB. We understand that everyone learns differently, so our flexible formats allow you to study on your schedule.
When you enroll in our pre-licensing courses, you gain access to industry-leading perks designed to launch your career, including:
No matter how many hours you plan to work as a real estate agent, ASREB will help you prepare for your new career.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only, based on a September 2025 survey of ASREB alumni and publicly available industry sources. While ASREB strives for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, reliability, or applicability of the information. Earnings and outcomes vary widely based on factors like location, experience, and market conditions and should not be considered guarantees. This guide does not constitute professional advice. Users should consult additional sources for personalized guidance.
