| Role | Base Salary | OTE (UK Avg) | London OTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee / Junior Negotiator | £18,000–£25,000 | £22,000–£35,000 | £30,000–£50,000 |
| Senior Negotiator | £22,000–£30,000 | £35,000–£60,000 | £50,000–£80,000 |
| Branch Manager | £28,000–£40,000 | £50,000–£80,000 | £70,000–£110,000 |
| Area Manager | £40,000–£55,000 | £60,000–£100,000 | £80,000–£130,000 |
| Director / Proprietor | £50,000–£80,000 | £80,000–£150,000+ | £120,000–£200,000+ |
| Self-Employed Agent | Variable | £50,000–£150,000+ | £80,000–£250,000+ |
| Proptech / Online Agent | £25,000–£35,000 | £28,000–£40,000 | £35,000–£50,000 |
| Lettings Negotiator | £18,000–£27,000 | £25,000–£45,000 | £35,000–£60,000 |
Estate agent pay in the UK is fundamentally different from most salaried roles. The combination of a base salary and performance-related commission (often called OTE — On Target Earnings) means your actual income depends heavily on the volume and value of properties you sell or let.
The base salary provides a guaranteed monthly income, typically ranging from £18,000 for a trainee to £55,000+ for an area manager. The OTE figure represents what you can realistically earn if you hit your targets, combining base and commission. Many driven agents exceed their OTE with exceptional performance.
Commission is typically calculated as a percentage of the estate agency's fee charged to the vendor. If an agency charges 1.5% on a £300,000 property sale (generating £4,500 in fees) and you receive 15% of that fee, your commission for that sale would be £675. Complete 40-50 such sales a year and the additional income is substantial.
Sales agents typically have higher OTE potential because individual transactions generate larger fees. However, lettings agents benefit from recurring income through management fees and renewal commissions, providing a more consistent monthly income stream. Many agencies now operate both arms, and agents who handle both departments often command higher base salaries.
London and the South East consistently pay estate agents 30-50% more than the national average, reflecting both higher property values and higher cost of living. A senior negotiator earning £28,000 base in Leeds may earn £38,000-£42,000 doing an equivalent role in central London. Commission income is proportionally greater given the much higher average property values in London.
Premium London postcodes — Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Chelsea — have specialist agents earning extraordinary sums on luxury property transactions. A single sale of a £5 million property at a 1.5% agency fee generates £75,000 in fees; the negotiator taking 15% of that earns £11,250 on one deal.
The typical progression in estate agency runs from trainee negotiator through to senior negotiator, then into management as a branch manager, area manager, and eventually director or regional director. Each step brings a higher base salary and increased OTE ceiling. Many experienced agents choose to go self-employed or set up their own agency, where earnings are uncapped but income is less predictable.
While estate agency in the UK does not legally require a licence (though this may change), NAEA PropertyMark membership and qualifications add significant professional credibility. Employers increasingly prefer or require PropertyMark-qualified staff, and holding qualifications typically accelerates progression and increases earning potential. ARLA PropertyMark (Association of Residential Letting Agents) is the equivalent for lettings professionals.
Online and hybrid estate agency models (similar to Purplebricks, though that company changed its model) typically employ agents on a fixed salary rather than a commission structure. Salaries of £25,000-£35,000 are common, with performance bonuses. This suits agents who prefer income certainty over the high-risk, high-reward traditional commission model, though top traditional agents can earn far more.
Self-employed estate agents — either sole traders operating their own agency or those operating under a franchise model — can earn £50,000 to £150,000+ depending on their client base, local market, and the volume of transactions they complete. Overheads must be factored in: marketing, professional indemnity insurance, Rightmove/Zoopla portal fees, and any staff costs. Despite this, the earnings ceiling is significantly higher than as an employed agent.
UK income tax 2025/26 applies as follows: the first £12,570 is your personal allowance (tax-free). Income from £12,571 to £50,270 is taxed at 20% (basic rate). Income from £50,271 to £125,140 is taxed at 40% (higher rate). National Insurance contributions are 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% above that. Use the calculator above to see your exact take-home pay based on your OTE.