Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
13-2023.00
Updated 2025

The occupation code you requested, 13-2021.01 (Assessors), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 13-2023.00 (Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate) instead.

A subset of this occupation's profile is available. Data collection is currently underway to populate other parts of the profile.

Appraise real estate, exclusively, and estimate its fair value. May assess taxes in accordance with prescribed schedules.

Sample of reported job titles: Appraiser, Assessor, Certified Real Estate Appraiser, Commercial Appraiser, County Assessor, Field Appraiser, Real Estate Appraiser, Real Property Appraiser, Tax Assessor, Valuation Consultant

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

  • Compute final estimation of property values, taking into account such factors as depreciation, replacement costs, value comparisons of similar properties, and income potential.
  • Prepare written reports that estimate property values, outline methods by which the estimations were made, and meet appraisal standards.
  • Inspect new construction and major improvements to existing structures to determine values.
  • Collect and analyze relevant data to identify real estate market trends.
  • Prepare and maintain current data on each parcel assessed, including maps of boundaries, inventories of land and structures, property characteristics, and any applicable exemptions.
  • Explain assessed values to property owners and defend appealed assessments at public hearings.
  • Identify the ownership of each piece of taxable property.
  • Inspect properties, considering factors such as market value, location, and building or replacement costs to determine appraisal value.
  • Complete and maintain assessment rolls that show the assessed values and status of all property in a municipality.
  • Review information about transfers of property to ensure its accuracy, checking basic information on buyers, sellers, and sales prices and making corrections as necessary.
  • Explain real and personal property taxes to property owners.
  • Conduct regular reviews of property within jurisdictions to determine changes in property due to construction or demolition.
  • Establish uniform and equitable systems for assessing all classes and kinds of property.
  • Examine income records and operating costs of income properties.
  • Evaluate land and neighborhoods where properties are situated, considering locations and trends or impending changes that could influence future values.
  • Maintain familiarity with aspects of local real estate markets.
  • Search public records for transactions such as sales, leases, and assessments.
  • Check building codes and zoning bylaws to determine any effects on the properties being appraised.
  • Verify legal descriptions of properties by comparing them to county records.
  • Interview persons familiar with properties and immediate surroundings, such as contractors, home owners, and realtors, to obtain pertinent information.
  • Photograph interiors and exteriors of properties to assist in estimating property value, substantiate findings, and complete appraisal reports.
  • Obtain county land values and sales information about nearby properties to aid in establishment of property values.
  • Examine the type and location of nearby services, such as shopping centers, schools, parks, and other neighborhood features, to evaluate their impact on property values.
  • Estimate building replacement costs, using building valuation manuals and professional cost estimators.
  • Draw land diagrams to be used in appraisal reports to support findings.
  • Testify in court as to the value of a piece of real estate property.
  • Calculate tax bills for properties by multiplying assessed values by jurisdiction tax rates.
  • Approve applications for property tax exemptions or deductions.
  • Analyze trends in sales prices, construction costs, and rents, to assess property values or determine the accuracy of assessments.
  • Determine taxability of properties, using methods such as field inspection, structural measurement, calculation, sales analysis, market trend studies, and income and expense analysis.
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Technology Skills

  • Accounting software — CPR International GeneralCOST Estimator
  • Analytical or scientific software — Construction Management Software ProEst; Manatron ProVal Plus; MicroSolve CAMA; WinEstimator WinEst; 9 more
  • Calendar and scheduling software — Govern Software Land and Permits Management System
  • Data base user interface and query software — Database software; Microsoft Access Hot technology ; Visual PAMSPro; Yardi software Hot technology ; 9 more
  • Desktop publishing software — ACI Appraiser's Choice
  • Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook In-Demand Hot technology
  • Financial analysis software — Cost estimating software; CPR Visual Estimator; RPIS Silent CMA; TietoEnator ProMatch; 8 more
  • Geographic information system — Geographic information system GIS systems; Govern Software GovMap
  • Graphics or photo imaging software — Bradford ClickFORMS; Wilson's Computer Applications RealEasy Photos Plus
  • Information retrieval or search software — Online title search and property report software
  • Internet browser software — Web browser software
  • Map creation software — Emerald Data Deed-Chek; Geomechanical design analysis GDA software; Greenbrier Graphics Deed Plotter; Informatik MapDraw Deed Mapper; 3 more
  • Office suite software — Google Workspace software Hot technology ; Microsoft Office software In-Demand Hot technology
  • Operating system software — Apple iOS Hot technology ; Microsoft Windows Hot technology
  • Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint In-Demand Hot technology
  • Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel In-Demand Hot technology
  • Tax preparation software — Manatron MVP Tax
  • Video conferencing software — Google Meet
  • Word processing software — Concierge Systems Report Concierge; Microsoft Word In-Demand Hot technology ; ValueTech Report Builder
Hot technology
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
In demand
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Detailed Work Activities

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Work Context

  • Telephone Conversations — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
  • E-Mail — How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams — How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
  • Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
  • Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals — How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
  • Spend Time Sitting — How much does this job require sitting?
  • Frequency of Decision Making — How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
  • Deal With External Customers or the Public in General — How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
  • In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment — How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
  • Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions — How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
  • Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
  • Time Pressure — How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
  • Written Letters and Memos — How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

Experience Requirements

Job Zone

Title
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
SVP Range
(7.0 to < 8.0)

Training & Credentials

State training
Local training
Certifications
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State licenses

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Example apprenticeship titles for this occupation:

  • Appraisal and Valuation of Real Property
  • Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser

Specific title(s) listed above are vetted by industry and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor for use in a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Start your career and build your skillset. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to learn about opportunities related to this occupation.

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Knowledge

  • English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • Administrative — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
  • Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Economics and Accounting — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.

Interests

Interest code: CE
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  • Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
  • Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Work Values

  • Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
  • Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Work Styles

  • Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
  • Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
  • Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
  • Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
  • Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
  • Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  • Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
  • Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
  • Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
  • Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
  • Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
  • Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wage data for Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Employment data for Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Industry data for Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Median wages (2023)
$29.63 hourly, $61,630 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2023)
83,900 employees
Projected growth (2023-2033)
Average (3% to 5%)
Projected job openings (2023-2033)
6,900
State trends
Top industries (2023)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 wage data and 2023-2033 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2023-2033). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings

More Information

Professional Associations

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National Associations
Accreditation, Certification, & Unions