My wife used to ask me a similar question about whether a certain pair of jeans made her ass look big.

Didn't fall for it then... not falling for it now.

Oh wow! Tough question but, the answer is, it depends!

I just had a buyer that I showed 2 homes to - we won a bidding war and scheduled inspections for one day. The rest of the transaction was easy-peasy - done in 21 days.

I just listed a coming soon property that I have been arranging contractors for rehabbing for the past 2.5 months. I have been to the house at LEAST once each week during that time. I have spent time searching for the 'perfect' light fixtures and paid my assistant time she spent finalizing all of the paperwork. 

With these two examples, I CLEARLY made more (if we're counting hourly wages) on my buyer but, as I originally said, it really depends. I also have buyers who have taken months and sellers who I meet for the listing appointment, sign them up and we are Closing in 30 days - super easy transaction. 

As with most things, "it depends". I've experienced "harder" on both sides. There are tangible costs (money) and intangible costs (time). Time is money. It goes both ways.

Depends on the market, the client, property etc... there is no easy answer

let just say I prefer listings in this market.

They each work hard in different ways. And who do you define "hard." That could change depending on a market, a niche, etc.

It depends on how you work; both require diligence if done right.

Neither one is the winner.

Listing agents have to get the home or land ready to show, work to make sure the price is right, set up showings, go to the appraisal, answer a million calls, etc. etc. If the sellers really wants to sell though, the homes always sell, and a deal is always done.

Buyer agents have to run clients around to see home after home after home, and after all that buyers might decide to "call the listing agent because she should know about such-and-such" or they might disappear into thin air, or they might not want to listen to what a good offer might be, or they might decide to have their parents or in-laws come at the last second before offer to look at the house or they might decide to make a bunch of lowball offers or......

Both parties work very hard. Neither wins this one.

There is so much truth in many of the answers provided.  The response by Alan May certainly puts things in perspective.  

I'm on team "It depends".

I work with both buyers and sellers. Some are easier than others. As a listing agent, there can be a lot of work when you have to respond to 20 +/- buyers agents calling you. You have to organize a ton of offers and make sure each and every one is presented. You have to respond to each buyers agent whether their got the offer or not. Sometimes, you have to be the heavy when the buyer's agent isn't getting the job done. There are so many things that can make it difficult to being a listing agent right now.

As a buyer's agent, you may have to write multiple offers before they get one. That includes research on many houses. That means talking at length about many homes before they go live. It might mean doing a Facetime showing with an out of state buyer. And, if the transaction is new construction, well it has the potential to be a beast to get through.

My most challenging transaction this year was new construction. 

No winner here. There are difficult sellers and difficult buyers and no matter waht you do there is no escape!

No question, buyer's agent in this market.

Quick answer in this market: buyers’ agent work harder because the writing of numerous offers may be required in this strong seller’s market and typical competitive, multiple offer situations.

Listing agents work hard to get listings. Then, there is preparation of the property. Aiding the seller in completing required disclosures. Preparation of marketing materials. Then, open house(s)…or not. Receiving offers. Presenting offers to sellers. Negotiating to contract status. Negotiation, coaching and working through escrow to closing. I am sure I have forgotten something.

Buyers’ agents work to find buyers. Coach buyers in the procedures of home buying. Connect the buyer with a lender to get a mortgage approval. Present listings to buyers that meet the buyer’s criteria or develop additional information on listings that buyers find. Show houses. Write an offer(s). Negotiate to contact stage. Arrange for inspections if inspections have not been provided by the seller. Review inspections and disclosures. Negotiate potential repairs or credits or contract changes. Review appraisal. Coach and shepherd the buyer through the escrow process to closing. I am sure I have forgotten something.

Depends on the agent

Walk a mile in the other guy's stilettos and then comment.

I'm BOTH a listing agent and selling agent, therefore I'd say I work harder .😅

Buyer agents and if you disagree, walk a mile in their shoes...

It depends upon the market conditions and the niche of the agent.

The answer is yes. 

Listing agents do a lot more legwork at the beginning, buyer's agents do more leg work afterwards. And sometimes it is reversed. Where is Michael Jacobs? It depends!

Ok, I'll fall for it & answer IMHO is a buyers agent.

In this market, definitely buyer's agent.  Most have to write multiple offers to get the buyers under contract.  Multiple offers on homes make it even more difficult.

Wanda,

It depends on so many factors.  A

Either can be super easy (or super tough), and I enjoy doing both, so I know how the market is doing.

Much better use of my time to focus on Listings.

It depends on the agent and the property.  I work my arse off on listings just to get them on the market.  Then I work 10X harder dealing with the buyer agents who seem, for the most part, to be clueless. 

Bottom line: a real professional is going to work hard in a hot seller market and do what they need to do to represent their client, buyer, or seller. 

In my outsider opinion, it seems that buyer's agents work harder and listing agents work smarter, esp as they are able to scale more.

Yes.

Yes... it definitely depends however, I think in this market we can all agree that a buyer's agent has to work more (but preferably not harder). ;)

If both do their job it can be equal. In this market though, it is a million times harder to get a listing than a buyer. One new listing can bring literally hundreds of buyers, but the work is no less. 

Neither work "hard" . . .  we're Realtors not ditch diggers! 
I remember interviewing a young lady for a receptionist job and when asked why she was interested in the position she gave an eye opening and humbling response:  she thought it to be a glamourous and dignified position to be working in a Real Estate office because all of her friends were in factories or housekeeping jobs.  She wanted to be able to dress up, look nice and be around smart people!!!  I'll never forget how that made me feel - privileged to say the least.

I would say that both work equally hard.  Not to dodge the question, but the tasks required are entirely different but both require an equal amount of effort.

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!  To get the job done cooperation between the listing agent and the buyer agent is essential to get the job done and make everyone's job easier - without that word COOPERATION someone is going to have a harder job .

I just wrote a post on it 😌

The attrition rate weighs equally for both and when the effort is all meted out I would have to say it's a virtual tie.

I would say the Listing Agent has the harder job and biggest reward.

It really depends. I have been working with a family for months, they have seen every home that fits their criteria but refuse to pay over list price. I will not give up.
On the other hand the last four listings I had received multiple offers within the first few days and they all went smooth.
Then, there's a commercial listing I have which has taken so much time and money, still not under contract. A good agent will work hard regardless.

In theory you'd think it would be listing agents, but I've seen plenty that don't bother lifting a finger to market or assist in the sale.

Most listing agents can handle a large number of listings at the same time, but in working with active buyers, you can only handle a small few at the same time.  During the recession, listing agents worked very, very hard with short sales and foreclosures. During this last year, buyers agents have worked very, very hard with little results in the multiple offer scenarios we have been dealing with.  Both work hard.

It could depend on the agent.

In small rural real estate markets, there is no "them" and "us". You work hard to get the listing, market the heck out of it and fully describe every square inch in your presentation. Then the phone calls, texts, emails and visits happen and you work equally hard to get the financing lined up if needed on a local level. You do whatever it takes for the clear to close memo for front row seats at a successful real estate closing. Army of one and no pot shots, resentment or snipes at "the other side" or assessing who is working hardest. It's peace in the valley and no drama.