How much does a title examiner make?
The median title examiner in the United States earns $54,980 per year, about $26.43 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all title examiners earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 23-2093.
Title examiner salary range
Pay for title examiners spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,710 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $87,240. The average (mean) wage of $59,600 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 | $36,710 | $17.65 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,020 | $21.64 | |
| Median (50th) | $54,980 | $26.43 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $70,290 | $33.79 | |
| 90th percentile | $87,240 | $41.94 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for title examiners, abstractors, and searchers (SOC 23-2093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Title examiner salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Title examiners earn the most in California at $77,780 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $36,780. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $77,780 | 4,120 |
| Oregon | $76,280 | 700 |
| Massachusetts | $75,090 | 140 |
| West Virginia | $66,040 | 410 |
| New York | $65,520 | 1,530 |
| Colorado | $64,170 | 1,230 |
| New Hampshire | $62,080 | N/A |
| Washington | $60,730 | 860 |
| Nevada | $60,230 | 320 |
| Rhode Island | $60,050 | 120 |
| Arizona | $59,710 | 1,490 |
| Utah | $59,310 | 1,330 |
| New Jersey | $59,030 | 650 |
| Alaska | $58,550 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $57,910 | 260 |
| Texas | $56,460 | 5,550 |
| Montana | $56,300 | 240 |
| Ohio | $56,100 | 1,530 |
| Wisconsin | $55,490 | 590 |
| Illinois | $53,570 | 1,040 |
| Connecticut | $53,290 | 60 |
| Delaware | $52,330 | 70 |
| Florida | $51,770 | 6,110 |
| New Mexico | $51,550 | 640 |
| Minnesota | $51,270 | 470 |
| Maryland | $50,370 | 520 |
| Virginia | $50,290 | 1,840 |
| South Dakota | $49,450 | 220 |
| Alabama | $49,440 | 380 |
| Kansas | $48,630 | 770 |
| North Dakota | $48,160 | 200 |
| Tennessee | $48,020 | 1,380 |
| Michigan | $47,840 | 1,970 |
| Wyoming | $47,420 | 300 |
| Idaho | $47,340 | 550 |
| Kentucky | $47,310 | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,080 | 2,590 |
| Oklahoma | $46,790 | 1,340 |
| Indiana | $46,770 | 1,020 |
| Nebraska | $46,350 | 310 |
| Missouri | $45,790 | 1,400 |
| Iowa | $41,550 | 460 |
| Mississippi | $40,940 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $40,900 | 630 |
| Georgia | $38,290 | 520 |
| Louisiana | $36,780 | 530 |
State median wages for title examiners, abstractors, and searchers (SOC 23-2093), 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 title examiners
The BLS projects employment of title examiners to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 59,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 61,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,300 openings a year for title examiners. 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 title examiner
The typical entry-level education for title examiners is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a title examiner earns
Firm size, practice area, years of experience, and metro area drive the spread. Large firms and major markets pay far above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $77,780) and the lowest (Louisiana, $36,780) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 48,170 people work as title examiners in the United States. At $54,980 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Title examiner salary FAQ
How much does a title examiner make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a title examiner is $26.43. The middle half of title examiners earn between $21.64 and $33.79 per hour.
What is the highest title examiner salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of title examiners earn more than $87,240 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a title examiner make a year?
The median annual salary for a title examiner is $54,980. The average (mean) wage of $59,600 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 title examiner a well paid job?
At $54,980 a year, a title examiner earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 48,170 people work as title examiners in the United States.
Which state pays title examiners the most?
California has the highest median salary for title examiners at $77,780 a year. Oregon ($76,280) and Massachusetts ($75,090) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a title examiner a good career?
Employment of title examiners is projected to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a title examiner?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for title examiners as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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