What is an Assessor?
Job Description & Duties Appraise real and personal property to determine its fair value. May assess taxes in accordance with prescribed schedules.
What Do Assessors Do On a Daily Basis?
- Analyze trends in sales prices, construction costs, and rents, to assess property values or determine the accuracy of assessments.
- Establish uniform and equitable systems for assessing all classes and kinds of property.
- Approve applications for property tax exemptions or deductions.
- Hire staff members.
- Supervise staff members.
- Explain assessed values to property owners and defend appealed assessments at public hearings.
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Assessor Needed Skills
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Types of Assessor
- Review Appraiser
- Personal Property Appraiser
- Deputy Assessor
- Residential Appraiser
- Industrial Property Appraiser
Assessor Employment Estimates
There were about 80,800 jobs for Assessor in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
What is the Average Salary of an Assessor
The typical yearly salary for Assessors is somewhere 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 each U.S. state?
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 & Technology 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
- Wilson’s Computer Applications RealEasy Appraisals
- Softree Technical Systems Terrain Tools
- Greenbrier Graphics Deed Plotter
- a la mode WinTOTAL
- Realty Tools Toolkit for Market Share
- Govern Software Land and Permits Management System
- Ascend Property Assessment
- ValueTech Report Builder
- Business Management Systems Municipal Geographic Management System MGMS
How to Become an Assessor
Individuals working as an Assessor have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become an Assessor?

Where Assessors Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Assessors employed by various industries.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being an Assessor may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as an Assessor sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
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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