All About Assessors
Position Description Appraise real and personal property to determine its fair value. May assess taxes in accordance with prescribed schedules.
Daily Life Of an Assessor
- Calculate tax bills for properties by multiplying assessed values by jurisdiction tax rates.
- Determine taxability and value of properties, using methods such as field inspection, structural measurement, calculation, sales analysis, market trend studies, and income and expense analysis.
- Supervise staff members.
- Conduct regular reviews of property within jurisdictions to determine changes in property due to construction or demolition.
- Explain assessed values to property owners and defend appealed assessments at public hearings.
- Maintain familiarity with aspects of local real estate markets.
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Things an Assessor Should Know How to Do
When polled, Assessors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Other Assessor Job Titles
- Field Inspector
- County Tax Assessor
- Property Appraiser
- Personal Property Assessor
- Certified General Mass Real Estate Appraiser
Is There Job Demand for Assessors?
In the United States, there were 80,800 jobs for Assessor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,600 new jobs for Assessor by 2026. The BLS estimates 6,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Assessor are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, Alaska, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Assessors Salary
The average yearly salary of an Assessor ranges between $29,690 and $102,590.
Assessors who work in District of Columbia, Nevada, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Assessors make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $54,340 |
| Alaska | $76,080 |
| Arizona | $49,330 |
| Arkansas | $45,180 |
| California | $84,130 |
| Colorado | $79,390 |
| Connecticut | $70,610 |
| District of Columbia | $93,730 |
| Florida | $53,900 |
| Georgia | $54,550 |
| Hawaii | $67,870 |
| Idaho | $53,090 |
| Illinois | $56,520 |
| Indiana | $48,740 |
| Iowa | $78,680 |
| Kansas | $56,800 |
| Kentucky | $46,740 |
| Louisiana | $52,310 |
| Maine | $60,120 |
| Maryland | $63,590 |
| Massachusetts | $70,150 |
| Michigan | $52,730 |
| Minnesota | $69,200 |
| Mississippi | $57,120 |
| Missouri | $55,190 |
| Montana | $46,490 |
| Nebraska | $71,370 |
| Nevada | $94,400 |
| New Hampshire | $70,840 |
| New Jersey | $73,200 |
| New Mexico | $44,710 |
| New York | $63,100 |
| North Carolina | $57,230 |
| North Dakota | $53,840 |
| Ohio | $69,650 |
| Oklahoma | $49,050 |
| Oregon | $69,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,830 |
| South Carolina | $54,130 |
| South Dakota | $49,100 |
| Tennessee | $57,320 |
| Texas | $59,310 |
| Utah | $52,280 |
| Vermont | $55,870 |
| Virginia | $60,420 |
| Washington | $69,770 |
| West Virginia | $40,710 |
| Wisconsin | $66,030 |
| Wyoming | $58,600 |
What Tools do Assessors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Assessors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Database software
- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
- RealData Comparative Lease Analysis
- Softree Technical Systems Terrain Tools
- Wilson’s Computer Applications RealEasy Appraisals
- a la mode WinTOTAL
- Greenbrier Graphics Deed Plotter
- HP 49G+ Appraiser Fee Calculator
- Howard and Friends Computer CMA Plus
- RPIS Silent CMA
- Real Edge
- Realty Tools Toolkit for Market Share
How to Become an Assessor
What education is needed to be an Assessor?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Assessor?
Who Employs Assessors?
The table below shows the approximate number of Assessors employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Assessor might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Assessor in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Godrej Mamurdi Pune via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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