How is the commission split between the listing real estate agent and purchasers real estate agent?

There is a huge variation in this. In some areas the listing commission and the sales commission are split 50-50. In other areas the listing company gets 60% of the commission due to higher expenses. After the real estate companies take their shares then they pay their agents a percentage of this. Some companies start new agents at a 50-50 split and they gradually work up to 60,70, 80, or 90 %. Other companies charge their agents a monthly desk fee and pay out 95% of the commission, keeping 5% for the franchise fee. (Like Remax). There are other business models out there as well.