Who is buying homes in America? According to a new report from the National Association of REALTORS® on homeownership trends from 2014 to 2024, the answer often comes down to your job.  

Management and business professionals top the list, with about 72.2% of executives, managers and financial workers owning their homes in 2024. Education and social service workers remain close behind at 67.3%, slightly lower than a decade ago. 

Workers in engineering and technical professions, including engineers, computer scientists and technical specialists, are also near the top with a 67.2% homeownership rate. Sales and real estate occupations saw gains over the past decade, rising from 60.8% to 63.3%. Healthcare workers now own homes at a rate of 62.2%, and skilled trades and construction workers are at 62%. 

Transportation and public safety occupations, including truck drivers, police officers and firefighters, have a 58.1% homeownership rate. Service workers, such as those in hospitality, food service and personal care, have the lowest rate at 45.5%. Notably, however, service occupations have made the largest improvement since 2014, rising from 42.7%. 

Overall, in 61.4% of U.S. metropolitan areas, the occupation with the highest homeownership rate today is different from a decade ago, representing a shift in the profile of a typical homeowner. However, home prices in many of these metros closely align with local incomes, paving the way for people across all occupations to own a home.