How much do CCIMs actually earn? It's one of the most important questions for anyone considering the designation—and one of the hardest to answer precisely, given the variability in commercial real estate compensation structures.
This guide compiles available data on CCIM earnings, broken down by role, market, experience level, and property type. We'll also examine what factors drive earnings higher and how compensation typically evolves over a CCIM career.
CCIM Salary Overview
According to CCIM Institute data and industry surveys, CCIM designees report median annual earnings of approximately $150,000. This represents one of the highest median incomes among commercial real estate professionals.
However, the range is substantial:
- 10th Percentile: ~$65,000 (early-career, smaller markets)
- 25th Percentile: ~$90,000
- Median (50th): ~$150,000
- 75th Percentile: ~$250,000
- 90th Percentile: $400,000+ (top producers in major markets)
- Top Performers: $500,000-$1,000,000+ (exceptional cases)
CCIM income data reflects self-reported figures from CCIM Institute surveys. Income for commission-based brokers varies significantly year-to-year based on deal flow. "Salary" in this guide includes total compensation (base salary + commissions/bonuses) for comparison purposes. Individual results depend heavily on effort, market conditions, and specialization.
CCIM vs Non-CCIM Earnings
The earnings premium for CCIM designees is substantial:
Important Caveats
The $70,000 gap doesn't mean CCIM directly causes a $70K raise. Several factors contribute:
- Selection Effect: High performers are more likely to pursue CCIM in the first place
- Experience Correlation: CCIM portfolio requirements mean designees have proven production history
- Career Stage: Most CCIMs are mid-career or senior professionals (higher-earning years anyway)
- Ambition Factor: Professionals who invest in credentials tend to invest more effort overall
That said, CCIM does provide tangible earnings advantages: access to larger deals, institutional clients, better referral networks, and enhanced credibility that justifies higher fees. Conservative estimates attribute 15-30% of the earnings premium directly to the designation.
Salary by Role
CCIM earnings vary significantly by professional role:
| Role | Typical Range | Median | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Sales Broker | $100K-$500K+ | $180K | Highest variability; top producers earn $1M+ |
| Leasing Broker | $80K-$300K | $140K | Industrial/office typically higher than retail |
| Commercial Lender | $100K-$200K | $135K | More stable; salary + bonus structure |
| Asset Manager | $110K-$220K | $150K | Often includes performance incentives |
| Developer | $120K-$400K+ | $175K | Highly variable; deal-dependent |
| Corporate Real Estate | $90K-$180K | $125K | Most stable; corporate benefits |
| Property Manager | $70K-$140K | $95K | CCIM less common; CPM more typical |
| Appraiser | $80K-$160K | $110K | MAI is primary credential; CCIM supplementary |
Salary by Market
Location significantly impacts CCIM earnings:
A CCIM earning $120,000 in Dallas may have equivalent or better purchasing power than one earning $180,000 in San Francisco after housing, taxes, and living costs. When evaluating markets, consider COL-adjusted compensation, not just absolute numbers.
Salary by Experience Level
CCIM earnings grow substantially with experience:
| Experience | Non-CCIM Range | CCIM Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 Years (Pre-CCIM) | $45K-$75K | N/A (rarely qualified) | — |
| 3-5 Years | $55K-$90K | $75K-$120K | +30-40% |
| 5-10 Years | $75K-$140K | $110K-$200K | +45-55% |
| 10-20 Years | $100K-$200K | $150K-$350K | +50-75% |
| 20+ Years | $120K-$300K | $180K-$500K+ | +50-100% |
Salary by Property Type
Property specialization influences earnings potential:
| Property Type | CCIM Median | Range | Market Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial | $165K | $100K-$400K | Strong demand; e-commerce driven |
| Multifamily | $160K | $95K-$380K | Large transaction sizes |
| Office | $150K | $90K-$350K | Market dependent; WFH impact varies |
| Retail | $135K | $80K-$280K | Challenging market; winners do well |
| Hospitality | $140K | $85K-$300K | Specialized; fewer practitioners |
| Land | $145K | $80K-$320K | Cyclical; development-dependent |
| Mixed-Use/Specialty | $155K | $90K-$350K | Complexity commands premium |
Factors That Increase CCIM Earnings
Beyond the designation itself, several factors drive higher CCIM earnings:
High-Impact Factors
- Deal Size Focus: CCIMs who pursue larger transactions earn disproportionately more. A $50M deal produces 10x the commission of a $5M deal with similar effort.
- Institutional Client Relationships: Working with REITs, pension funds, and institutional investors means larger deals and recurring relationships.
- Team Leadership: Building a team and earning overrides multiplies earning potential beyond individual production.
- Market Selection: Operating in high-volume, high-value markets increases earning potential.
- Specialization: Being the recognized expert in a niche (e.g., medical office, data centers) commands premium fees.
Moderate-Impact Factors
- Multiple Designations: CCIM + SIOR, or CCIM + CFA, signals comprehensive expertise
- Network Engagement: Active CCIM network participation generates referrals and deal flow
- Marketing Investment: CCIMs who actively market their designation capture more opportunities
- Technology Adoption: Leveraging data, analytics, and technology improves efficiency and client outcomes
High CCIM earnings = Strong market × Right specialization × Large deal focus × Active credential leveraging × Continuous relationship building. The designation amplifies all of these factors but doesn't replace them.
Career Income Trajectory
Here's how CCIM earnings typically evolve over a career:
Frequently Asked Questions
For most active commercial real estate practitioners, yes. Even using conservative estimates (attributing only 15-20% of the income premium directly to CCIM), that's $12,000-$30,000 annually on a $150K median income. The payback period is typically 6-18 months, with 10-year value in the hundreds of thousands. See our detailed Is CCIM Worth It? analysis for full ROI calculations.
SIOR members typically earn at the higher end of CCIM ranges because SIOR's production requirements select for top producers. However, this reflects SIOR's selection criteria (you must already be a high producer to qualify) rather than the designation causing higher earnings. Many top earners hold both CCIM and SIOR.
Most CCIMs report noticeable benefits within the first year—often through a single deal or client relationship attributable to the credential. Significant earnings increases typically accumulate over 2-5 years as network effects, reputation enhancement, and access to larger deals compound. CCIM is a long-term career investment, not a quick fix.
CCIM salary data is self-reported, which introduces some upward bias (high earners may be more likely to respond to surveys). Additionally, CCIM's portfolio requirements ensure designees have proven production, creating selection bias. The $150K median is likely accurate for those who complete the program and actively practice, but individual results vary widely based on effort, market, and specialization.
Yes, though the ceiling is typically lower than major metros. In smaller markets, CCIMs often have less competition, stronger differentiation, and can dominate their local market. A CCIM earning $120,000 in a secondary market with low cost of living may have better quality of life than one earning $180,000 in an expensive gateway city.
There's no fixed ceiling. The highest-earning CCIMs—typically principals, team leaders, and top investment sales brokers in major markets—earn $500,000-$1,000,000+ annually. However, these represent the top 5-10% of designees. Most CCIMs earn between $100,000-$250,000, which still represents excellent compensation in most markets.
Conclusion: The Earnings Picture
CCIM designees earn substantially more than non-designated commercial real estate professionals—approximately 87% more at the median. While some of this differential reflects selection effects (ambitious, successful professionals pursue CCIM), the designation provides tangible earnings advantages through credibility, network access, analytical skills, and institutional client appeal.
Your personal earnings as a CCIM will depend on factors you control: market selection, specialization, deal size focus, network engagement, and how actively you leverage the credential. The designation creates opportunity; capitalizing on that opportunity is up to you.
For detailed analysis of whether the CCIM investment makes sense for your specific situation, see our comprehensive Is CCIM Worth It? guide and CCIM Cost Breakdown.
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