Real estate professionals who find themselves ready for a career change may be perfectly poised to enjoy success in a different sales field.

A report in the Wall Street Journal suggests that real estate agents are "salespeople at heart", which means that trying their trade with another product such as computer software, insurance or pharmaceuticals is a good bet.

Jay Hargis, founder of Talent Insight Group, said that experience in analyzing markets, creating customer relationships and bringing deals to a close can be useful when selling a variety of products.

In addition, he claimed that since real estate employees are accustomed to working on a commission, they are prepared to adopt this same focus to their new role.

The Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that in the coming decade there is likely to be a rising demand for people to sell health and long-term care insurance as the population ages, as well as commercial insurance as new businesses emerge.

Median annual earnings for wage and salary insurance sales agents are $43,980, according to the most recent figures from the DOL. However, independent agents may be paid by commission only, which means salary levels could vary considerably. Agency or insurance carrier staff may be paid with a salary, salary plus commission or salary plus bonus.