Career Guide
To become a land agent, you need to begin by determining if the occupation could be a good fit for you.
If you're interested in a career with a lot of responsibility, a career in which you get to utilize your negotiation skills, and a career involving finding new opportunities to conduct real estate related business, then you might be well suited for this field.
Below we've outlined what you'll need to succeed in a career as a land agent. We've also included helpful occupational information, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Education Needed to Become a Land Agent
Typically, land agents do not require formal post-secondary education in order to work in the field.
However there are many benefits to obtaining a degree or diploma in certain fields as they may assist you greatly in your career, as they will provide you with plenty of relevant knowledge, skills and competencies.
In addition, many employers prefer candidates who have relevant education on their resume. Pursuing a degree or diploma in one of the fields listed below may help you become a land agent, including:
• Marketing
• Geography
• Management
• Commerce
• Land Agency diploma program
• Real Estate degree or diploma program
• Land and Contract Administration certificate or diploma program
• Environmental Studies
Land Agent Job Description
Land agents are responsible for the negotiation and acquisition of land for rights of way for commercial and industrial purposes, such as developing well sites, pipelines, power lines, coal mines, roadways and other similar uses.
Typical Job Duties
• May provide testimony before regulatory boards
• Identify and evaluate property disposition and acquisition opportunities
• Act as public affairs liaison in communities on behalf of their employer
• Prepare reports
• Coordinate land reclamation activities
• Negotiate agreements related to road use
• Assess and settle any damages
• Maintain the land inventory of the employing municipality
• Respond to provincial/state and federal agencies' referrals regarding mine permits, government tenures and foreshore leases
• Assess wildlife protection, hazardous waste disposal and related environmental controls written into agreements
• Acquire freehold surface mineral leases and easement agreements
Characteristics Needed to Become a Land Agent
In order to succeed in their careers, land agents need a certain set of personality traits in addition to their education and experience.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Able to listen to the needs of their client or employer
• Must have high ethical standards and integrity
• Must have excellent organizational skills
• Must be able to work with little or no supervision
• Must have excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Must be comfortable dealing with business-to-business transactions, as well as business-to-customer transactions
• Must be patient
Additional Requirements
In order to become a land agent, you may need to obtain a license depending on the province or state you plan to operate within. Contact your provincial or state real estate board to find out more information regarding licensure and applicable programs.
In addition to obtaining a professional license, you may need to fulfill other requirements in order to work as a land agent, including:
• Valid driver’s license
• Knowledge of drafting contracts (may be taught on-the-job)
• Years of experience in the oil and gas, or real estate industry
• Eligibility to become a Commissioner for Oaths
Please Note: Requirements to work as a land agent vary from province to province and from state to state
Alternate Occupational Titles for This Profession
Land agents may have different occupational titles, depending on their specific set of duties, or whom they are employed with; examples include:
• Surface land agent
• Petroleum landman
• Land representative
• Municipal land agent
• Land use technician
• Lease negotiator
• Public consolation coordinator
• Right-of-way planner
• Liaison coordinator
• Land management technician
• Contract land agent
Who Employs Land Agents?
Land agents typically work for the following organizations:
• Oil, gas and mining companies
• Land service companies
• Engineering firms
• Communications companies
• Railroad companies
• Government agencies
• Electric and gas utility companies
Current Job Postings
Our job board below has "land agent" postings in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Typical Salary Level
The actual wages and salaries of land agents can vary greatly, typically depending on the following factors:
• Their level of education and experience
• The amount of responsibility inherent in their job
• The size and type of their employer, or whether or not they're self-employed
• The region in which they work
• Their salary negotiating abilities
• The general state of their industry, and economic factors
• Many other factors
Land Agent Salary in Alberta: According to the 2017 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, the average salary level of Albertans working in the “Land Agent” occupational group is $83,265 per year.
Salary - British Columbia: According to WorkBC (Province of British Columbia), those working in the “Purchasing agents and officers” occupational group earn an annual provincial median salary of $54,392.
Salary - United States: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary level of Americans working in the “Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents” occupational group is $50,300 per year.
Similar Occupations in Our System
Listed below are jobs that are similar in nature to "land agent", as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
• Realtor
References
Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career as a Land Agent.
Occupations in Alberta: “Land Agent.” (March 2, 2016). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
Education, Training, and Library: “Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents.” (September 4, 2019). United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
Explore Careers: “Purchasing agents and officers.” (July 5, 2018). WorkBC website - Province of British Columbia. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
Labour Market Information: “How to Become a Land Agent.” (n.d.). Government of Alberta - Department of Labour website. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
Please Note: Much of the information for this career guide was gathered from actual job postings, which due to the brief nature of their online presence, are not listed here as sources.
Scholarships for Becoming a Land Agent
Scholarships listed for majors that apply to becoming a land agent can be found on our All Scholarships by Major page.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Relevant University Majors
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point to becoming a land agent. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
