Well typically 6% is split between the buyers agent and the sellers agent. And each agent has to kick up a percent to their broker. Most real estate agents I know working in the average market (I.e. not NYC or the Bay Area) are not clearing $100K.
America confuses me sometimes!
At least the seller agent side. You need to advertise somewhere and someone doing it full time is much more efficient, in spreading the marketing. Some level buyer agent gathering what is available if they did that is also logical.
Here not in USA. Buyer agents are more rarely used, but advertisement was taped to my building this week. But for seeing what is available agencies made lot of sense. And still do the paperwork and take somewhat better pictures or are around to show property.
(That accounts for the split. That doesn't account for whomever the agent works for taking whatever cut.)