How to Become a

Real Estate Assessor

The complete career guide to be a Real Estate Assessor: salary, job growth, employers, best schools, and education you may need to get started.
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Why We Love It

  • $58,400
    Potential Avg. Salary
  • 7.8%
    Job Growth Rate
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook
  • Dependable Daily Workload
    Career Attribute

Real estate assessors assess the value of land and property for state and local governments to establish property tax values. Where appraisers determine the value of specific homes they’ve evaluated, assessors form average values of homes of a certain type in a certain location, such as a neighborhood.

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What is a Real Estate Assessor?

The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in real estate assessor roles:

  • Determine average values of certain types of lands, homes, and structures within an area
  • Establish baseline values of properties with specific features, such as number of bedrooms
  • Revisit valuations each year to determine if tax increases or decreases are required
  • Provide appraisals to state and local governments to assist with creating property tax bills

A Day in the Life

There are two types of careers that focus on determining the value of land, homes, buildings, and other property types: real estate appraisers and real estate assessors. While appraisers focus on attributing values to specific pieces of property, assessors value property at the area- or neighborhood-level. The work done by assessors is used by local and state governments to create annual property tax bills based on the value of owned property in the governed area. Many tools are used to form these valuations.

Assessors use computer programs and mass appraisal techniques to determine the value of property with certain attributes in certain areas. For example, an assessor may determine the average value of a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home on a certain street or in a certain neighborhood. They may also assess the value of a commercial building or venue in a certain district of a city or town. They then provide this information to governments for use in annual property tax billing.

Because property values can change, assessors must reassess values frequently. Gentrification and new popularity in an area may increase the selling prices of homes, thereby increasing the value of owned properties. Real estate assessors must stay informed on these trends in order to properly value properties each year. Additionally, the valuations created by real estate assessors are sometimes challenged by property owners, so assessors must keep detailed records of the methods used to form assessments in order to address challenges and prove the accuracy of their assessments.

Typical Work Schedule

For the most part, real estate assessors work full-time during normal business hours. Overtime may be required on occasion but is not common.

Typical Employers

Real estate assessors are typically employed by either state or local government agencies.

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How To Become a Real Estate Assessor

The prerequisite educational and training requirements for real estate assessors are set by individual state and/or local governments, so there is no standard path to becoming a real estate assessor. Some states and localities allow assessors to become licensed with only a high school diploma, while others require a degree and two or more years of on-the-job training. For that reason, the first step in becoming a real estate assessor should be to research the licensing requirements for the state or locality you want to work in.

For the most part, some level of education after high school is required. This education may be earning a certificate in real estate assessment from a community, vocational, or trade school, or earning a bachelor’s degree in a related subject—such as economics, finance, business, or computer science. When working as an assessor, research skills, math skills, and computer skills are all important for success. You’ll form complex calculations in assessments and use advanced computer programs and software.

Some states and localities may also require on the job training to become licensed as a real estate assessor. Depending on the type of certification required, aspiring assessors may need to train under an experienced assessor for two or more years, or for up to 3,000 hours. Additionally, you may need to pass a written exam from an accredited licensing institution, such as the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).

Real Estate Assessor Salary Data

We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.

National Anual Salary

Low Range

$37,400

Average

$58,400

High Range

$97,080

National Hourly Wage

Low Range

$18/hr

Average

$28/hr

High Range

$47/hr

How do Real Estate Assessor salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Real Estate Assessor's can make an average annual salary of $58,400, or $28 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $37,400 or $18 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.

Salary Rankings And Facts

  • #292 Nationally for All Careers

  • Above Average Salary Nationally

Programs and Degrees

Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Real Estate Assessor. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.

Highest Education Among Real Estate Assessors

  • 2.9%   Doctorate
  • 8.1%   Masters
  • 41.7%   Bachelors
  • 9.3%   Associates
  • 25.4%   College
  • 11.7%   High School
  • 0.9%   Less than High School

Job Growth Projections and Forecast

2014 Total Jobs

85,800

2024 Est. Jobs

92,500

Job Growth Rate

7.8%

Est. New Jobs

6,700

How does Real Estate Assessor job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 6,700 jobs for a total of 92,500 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 7.8% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.

Growth Rankings And Facts

  • #284 Nationally for All Careers

  • Above Avg. Growth Nationally

What Companies Employ The Most Real Estate Assessors

Industry Current Jobs New Jobs Needed % Increase
Local government, excluding education and hospitals 25,600 100 0%
Activities related to real estate 24,700 5,300 5%
Self-employed workers 20,300 1,000 1%

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