The Talent Crunch Facing Small MLSs
The applicant pool for Matt and Teresa will no doubt be deep and full. But what’s happening in small markets? Will a shortage of qualified AE/MLS CEOs accelerate consolidation?
Consider this: a growing number of small MLSs (<1,000 subscribers) have open in-person CEO/AE roles, many offering $75,000 or less – a tough salary for an executive in 2026. Some are in pricey vacation towns, further shrinking the talent pool. That leaves adventurous REALTORS, past presidents, and long-serving staff as the main candidates. While many small MLSs offer strong salaries, those that can’t may need to consider merging with a larger neighbor or exploring non-contiguous options.
This story originally ran in the Waffle MLS Newsletter. Interested in Markt? Contact us.
