As an entrepreneurship consultant who assists small and medium-sized businesses, I‘m often asked by aspiring professionals: just how many jobs are available within real estate investment trusts (REITs)?
This thriving, $1 trillion sector offers over 1,278 current openings per LinkedIn data, showcasing plentiful career opportunities. But the actual size of the REIT job market is even larger based on research from industry groups.
Let‘s take a detailed look at the latest job statistics, growth trends, and outlook for REIT careers.
REIT Industry at a Glance
First, a quick overview of what real estate investment trusts (REITs) are:
- Public companies that own, operate, or finance income-producing real estate
- Allow investors to gain exposure to portfolios of real estate assets
- Required to pay out 90% of taxable income as dividends
Major types of REITs include:
- Equity REITs
- Mortgage REITs
- Hybrid REITs
Some of the main property sectors REITs invest in:
- Retail
- Office
- Industrial
- Residential
- Healthcare
- Hospitality
- Specialized (data centers, cell towers, etc.)
Now let‘s explore the job opportunities available.
How Many REIT Jobs Exist Today?
While LinkedIn currently lists over 1,278 open REIT positions, research from the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) suggests the actual size of the industry job market is much larger.
Here are some key stats on existing REIT jobs:
- 326,000 direct REIT jobs in the U.S.
- 3.4 million total jobs supported by REITs
- Jobs in all 50 states
- Median compensation of $125,278
This data indicates abundant career opportunities nationwide within REITs. The industry supports a wide range of positions across functional areas.
REIT Career Growth Outlook
Not only are current REIT job numbers robust, but future growth prospects also look bright.
Projections call for steady job gains over the next decade:
- NAREIT forecasts 7% direct job growth from 2022 to 2032.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8% growth for related real estate positions through 2031.
Rising demand for specialized property types like industrial, data centers, and life sciences should catalyze especially strong REIT job creation.
Let‘s explore some of the most promising REIT career paths.
Top In-Demand REIT Jobs
REITs offer varied roles across real estate, finance, technology, legal, marketing, and more.
Based on my consulting experience, here are some of the top in-demand positions:
| Role | Average Base Salary | **Total Compensation Range*** |
|---|---|---|
| Asset Manager | $83,000 | $102,000 – $201,000 |
| Property Manager | $67,000 | $59,000 – $118,000 |
| Acquisitions Analyst | $77,000 | $83,000 – $136,000 |
| Financial Analyst | $66,000 | $72,000 – $106,000 |
| Marketing Manager | $77,000 | $61,000 – $129,000 |
*Includes bonus, stock, and profit sharing
As you can see, REITs offer lucrative incomes across many roles. The potential total compensation, which includes bonuses and stock incentives, can exceed $200,000 for experienced positions like Asset Manager.
Now let‘s discuss finding and landing these rewarding REIT careers.
Searching for REIT Jobs
The best strategies for discovering openings include:
- Networking at industry events – Connect with REIT professionals at conferences and mixers.
- Leveraging LinkedIn – Follow REIT companies and set job alerts.
- Utilizing niche job boards – Sites like NAREIT and REIT.com post openings.
As a consultant, I recommend casting a wide net and tapping into your connections. With abundant opportunities nationwide, perseverance is key.
To stand out from other applicants, be sure to highlight any relevant real estate experience or education. Completing programs like MIT‘s REIT certificate can give you a edge.
Preparing for a Career in REITs
Based on my experience advising entrepreneurs, these tips can help position you for success in landing and excelling in a REIT role:
- Earn a relevant degree – Coursework in real estate, finance, economics, or business is preferred.
- Get certified – CFA, CCIM, and other designations signal expertise.
- Gain experience – Complete internships in the real estate sector whenever possible.
- Highlight transferable skills – Emphasize analytical, financial, and communication abilities.
- Ace the interview – Brush up on REIT industry knowledge and trends.
With abundant current openings and bright growth forecasts, REITs offer incredible career opportunities spanning a variety of roles – over 300,000 in the U.S. alone. I encourage professionals with real estate, finance, or business backgrounds to consider this dynamic industry. Let me know if I can assist with your job search or application!
