How much does a property appraiser and assessor make?
The median property appraiser and assessor in the United States earns $65,420 per year, about $31.45 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all property appraisers and assessors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 13-2020.
Property appraiser and assessor salary range
Pay for property appraisers and assessors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,480 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $122,760. The average (mean) wage of $77,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,480 | $18.50 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,310 | $23.71 | |
| Median (50th) | $65,420 | $31.45 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $90,810 | $43.66 | |
| 90th percentile | $122,760 | $59.02 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for property appraisers and assessors (SOC 13-2020), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Property appraiser and assessor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Property appraisers and assessors earn the most in District of Columbia at $105,000 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $45,490. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $105,000 | 120 |
| California | $91,400 | 5,660 |
| New Jersey | $89,890 | 800 |
| Massachusetts | $87,280 | 1,090 |
| Connecticut | $84,100 | 670 |
| Alaska | $81,540 | 150 |
| Rhode Island | $80,460 | 130 |
| Washington | $80,120 | 1,190 |
| Iowa | $79,420 | 730 |
| Minnesota | $78,940 | 1,460 |
| New York | $77,690 | 3,280 |
| Maryland | $74,760 | 560 |
| Ohio | $73,340 | 1,650 |
| Virginia | $73,050 | 1,340 |
| Florida | $73,010 | 4,090 |
| Maine | $71,100 | 270 |
| Michigan | $70,520 | 1,920 |
| New Hampshire | $69,170 | 310 |
| Idaho | $68,700 | 700 |
| Hawaii | $68,370 | 160 |
| Oregon | $66,120 | 780 |
| Wisconsin | $64,530 | 860 |
| Colorado | $64,260 | 1,320 |
| Texas | $63,960 | 5,520 |
| Nebraska | $63,370 | 450 |
| Louisiana | $62,710 | 500 |
| North Dakota | $62,340 | 320 |
| Wyoming | $62,230 | 260 |
| Tennessee | $61,920 | 1,190 |
| Indiana | $61,010 | 2,020 |
| Montana | $60,990 | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,320 | 1,520 |
| Arizona | $60,050 | 1,210 |
| Utah | $59,920 | 770 |
| South Carolina | $59,080 | 860 |
| Vermont | $57,900 | 240 |
| South Dakota | $57,440 | 450 |
| Delaware | $57,040 | 160 |
| North Carolina | $56,950 | 2,220 |
| Alabama | $53,050 | 540 |
| Kansas | $52,870 | 1,120 |
| Nevada | $52,000 | 690 |
| New Mexico | $51,860 | 630 |
| Mississippi | $49,830 | 590 |
| Georgia | $49,070 | 2,270 |
| Missouri | $49,040 | 1,650 |
| Oklahoma | $48,760 | 840 |
| Kentucky | $46,910 | 320 |
| Arkansas | $46,590 | 900 |
| West Virginia | $45,490 | 530 |
State median wages for property appraisers and assessors (SOC 13-2020), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for property appraisers and assessors
The BLS projects employment of property appraisers and assessors to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 68,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 70,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,200 openings a year for property appraisers and assessors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a property appraiser and assessor
The typical entry-level education for property appraisers and assessors is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a property appraiser and assessor earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $105,000) and the lowest (West Virginia, $45,490) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 59,070 people work as property appraisers and assessors in the United States. At $65,420 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Property appraiser and assessor salary FAQ
How much does a property appraiser and assessor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a property appraiser and assessor is $31.45. The middle half of property appraisers and assessors earn between $23.71 and $43.66 per hour.
What is the highest property appraiser and assessor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of property appraisers and assessors earn more than $122,760 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a property appraiser and assessor make a year?
The median annual salary for a property appraiser and assessor is $65,420. The average (mean) wage of $77,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a property appraiser and assessor a well paid job?
At $65,420 a year, a property appraiser and assessor earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 59,070 people work as property appraisers and assessors in the United States.
Which state pays property appraisers and assessors the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for property appraisers and assessors at $105,000 a year. California ($91,400) and New Jersey ($89,890) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a property appraiser and assessor a good career?
Employment of property appraisers and assessors is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a property appraiser and assessor?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for property appraisers and assessors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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