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Property appraiser: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$67,960median pay per year, or $32.67 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $40,030lowest 10% earn less
  2. $50,97025th percentile
  3. $67,960median
  4. $92,76075th percentile
  5. $122,660top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Property appraisers and assessors earned a median of $67,960 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow at the same pace as all occupations over the next decade[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.5%[2]
Openings per year
5,200[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do property appraisers make?

The median wage for property appraisers and assessors was $67,960 a year, or $32.67 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $75,770 a year, or $36.43 an hour[8]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

Pay varies a lot across the range.

Point in the range Annual wage Hourly wage
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[4][9] $40,030 $19.25
Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[4][9] $50,970 $24.51
Median[1] $67,960 $32.67
Highest-paid 25% earned more than[4][9] $92,760 $44.60
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[4][9] $122,660 $58.97

A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages rather than a starting salary[10]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median wage at $107,980, followed by New Jersey at $92,390 and Massachusetts at $91,750[12]. California came next at $88,900[12]. West Virginia had the lowest published state median at $44,940[12].

California had the most jobs at 6,380, followed by Texas at 5,240, New York at 2,860, Florida at 2,830 and Georgia at 2,490[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont paid the highest median at $105,580[14]. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad followed at $99,850[14] and Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington at $99,800[14]. The New York area had the most jobs at 2,590, with a median of $82,920[15].

Show median pay in 49 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$107,980110
New Jersey$92,3901,190
Massachusetts$91,7501,100
California$88,9006,380
Connecticut$86,050630
Washington$83,7101,150
Minnesota$83,4001,380
Maine$80,930230
Alaska$80,330200
Iowa$80,160630
Hawaii$79,860130
New York$78,0602,860
Maryland$77,610660
Virginia$76,0801,540
Rhode Island$75,900280
Colorado$75,1501,060
New Hampshire$74,670250
Wisconsin$68,660820
North Carolina$66,7002,210
Texas$65,8405,240
Florida$65,6202,830
North Dakota$65,210240
Nebraska$64,770400
Michigan$64,2701,960
Idaho$63,410500
Ohio$63,4101,220
South Dakota$63,350510
Louisiana$62,910600
Georgia$62,4602,490
Tennessee$62,3501,060
Montana$62,250250
Alabama$61,370600
Wyoming$60,860260
Indiana$60,3501,940
Illinois$60,1501,700
South Carolina$59,1101,000
Kentucky$58,850140
Nevada$57,960600
Pennsylvania$57,9201,430
Delaware$57,610130
Missouri$57,3801,560
Utah$56,100760
Mississippi$54,530520
Oregon$54,460810
Kansas$51,390780
Arizona$51,2501,670
Arkansas$50,840810
New Mexico$50,550530
Oklahoma$49,990920
West Virginia$44,940470

How to become a property appraiser

The rules are complicated. They change from state to state, and the value or type of property can matter too[16].

For assessors, some states set education and experience rules, a few leave it to each locality, and some localities accept a high school diploma[20]. Your state's licensing board has the specific requirements[16].

In an O*NET survey of 22 real estate appraisers and assessors, 55% said a bachelor's degree is required and 27% said an associate's degree[21]. In a separate survey of 23 personal and business property appraisers, 39% said a bachelor's degree[22]. BLS lists no work experience requirement in a related occupation[7].

What property appraisers do

Real estate appraisers estimate what a property is worth and may assess taxes under set schedules[23]. Personal and business property appraisers value items such as jewelry, art, antiques and equipment[24]. Typical tasks include:

BLS lists analytical, math, organizational, problem-solving, time-management and customer-service skills as important[27][28][29][30][31][32].

Where they work

Local government employed 41% of property appraisers and assessors in 2025, the largest employer group listed[33]. About 14.6% were self-employed[34].

The work is based in offices, but site visits can take up a large part of the time[35]. Residential appraisers are out of the office more often than commercial appraisers[35]. Appraisers at banks and mortgage companies generally work in an office and visit sites only when needed[35]. Most are full-time employees, and some put in over 40 hours in a week[36].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 68,400 to 70,700 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% as well[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. The OEWS count of about 57,070 covers wage and salary jobs only[37].

BLS projects about 5,200 openings a year[6]. They include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year 4% of workers leave the labor force and 3% move to a different occupation[38].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is above the all-occupations median[1][5], and the range is wide[4]. Entry usually calls for a bachelor's degree and long on-the-job training[7]. Real estate appraisers also need a state license or certification for some work[19]. Job growth matches the all-occupations rate[2][3]. The job suits people who are comfortable with data, math and written reports[29][27], and who can handle deadlines and site visits[32][35].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a property appraiser make an hour?
The median was $32.67 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $19.25 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $58.97[9].
What degree do you need to be a property appraiser?
A bachelor's degree is the typical entry education, though some people qualify with a high school diploma[7][16].
How long does it take to become a property appraiser?
Employers may require on-the-job training of 12 months or more[18]. Licensing may also require enough work hours[18].
Is property appraiser a growing field?
BLS projects 3.5% growth from 2025 to 2035, the same as all occupations[2][3].
What is the highest paying state for property appraisers?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $107,980[12]. New Jersey was next at $92,390[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Property Appraisers and Assessors in the US was $67,960 per year and $32.67 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Property Appraisers and Assessors is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 68,400 to 70,700 jobs (a change of +2,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Property Appraisers and Assessors: 10th percentile $40,030, 25th percentile $50,970, 75th percentile $92,760, 90th percentile $122,660. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 5,200 openings for Property Appraisers and Assessors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Property Appraisers and Assessors: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Property Appraisers and Assessors was $75,770 per year and $36.43 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Property Appraisers and Assessors: 10th percentile $19.25, 25th percentile $24.51, 75th percentile $44.60, 90th percentile $58.97. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Property Appraisers and Assessors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Property Appraisers and Assessors jobs: California 6,380; Texas 5,240; New York 2,860; Florida 2,830; Georgia 2,490. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Property Appraisers and Assessors (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $105,580; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $99,850; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $99,800; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $98,020; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $96,220; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $94,230; Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $92,370; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $91,600. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Property Appraisers and Assessors jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,590 (median $82,920); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,240 (median $91,600); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,360 (median $64,220); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,250 (median $65,240); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 1,200 (median $51,250); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,070 (median $75,930). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 13-2023.00 (Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate) survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 55%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 27%, Some College Courses 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET 13-2022.00 (Appraisers of Personal and Business Property) survey of workers (23 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 39%, Some College Courses 17%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 17%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 9%, Master's Degree 9%, First Professional Degree 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET description of Property Appraisers and Assessors. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Property Appraisers and Assessors. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Property Appraisers and Assessors. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Property Appraisers and Assessors. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of property appraisers and assessors in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 41%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: 14.6% of Property Appraisers and Assessors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 57,070 people were employed as Property Appraisers and Assessors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Property Appraisers and Assessors: 4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.