The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics gives a positive job outlook for real estate appraisers. BLS projects that job growth for appraisers will be 4% between 2023–2033, which is as fast as average for all occupations.1 Since the real estate market impacts their work, demand for appraisers can fluctuate from year to year. However, regardless of market fluctuations, there’s a general demand for new appraisers right now.
The pool of appraisal professionals is shrinking, and this trend is expected to continue as many are older and nearing retirement age. This presents an excellent opportunity for up-and-coming and experienced professionals looking to enter a new field—especially those who are highly analytical, tech-savvy, and ready to learn and adapt.
So, is now a good time to become an appraiser? Keep reading to learn about real estate appraiser job outlook, income potential, opportunities for new appraisers, and tips for leveraging the real estate market to launch a successful appraisal career. Additionally, hear from actual appraisers about what inspired them to join the profession.
Want to learn how to become an appraiser? Check out our free career guide.
Job outlook for real estate appraisers
Within the next decade, employment for appraisers and assessors of real estate is predicted to rise by 4%. That growth rate is on pace with the projected 4% overall job growth in the U.S. economy and faster than the projected 2% job growth for real estate brokers and sales agents.
Appraiser salary and income snapshot
According to McKissock’s 2025 Appraisal Salary Guide, real estate appraisers earned $106,188, on average, in 2024. Appraisal income varied significantly across license levels, with Appraisal Trainees earning $60,896, Licensed Appraisers earning $67,118, Certified Residential Appraisers earning $90,900, and Certified General Appraisers (also known as commercial appraisers) earning $130,918.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the mean annual wage of property appraisers and assessors as $65,420, as of May 2024.1
In 2025, Salary.com lists the typical pay range for residential real estate appraisers as $62,398 to $91,578 and the typical pay range for commercial real estate appraisers as $52,476 to $122,558—depending on experience level.2-5
Glassdoor gives higher salary estimates for appraisers, stating that U.S. home appraisers make an average income of $121,259 per year and U.S. commercial appraisers make an average of $135,213 per year.6-7
Appraisal income can vary significantly based on key factors such as license level, years of experience, and location—including city, state, and region.
Real estate appraiser job outlook by state
The top ten best states for real estate appraisers in 2025 are as follows, according to Zippia8:
- Iowa
- Arizona
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- Delaware
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- Minnesota
The top five states with the highest employment rate for property appraisers and assessors are as follows, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics9:
- California
- Texas
- Florida
- New York
- Georgia
The top-paying region of the United States with the highest average annual income for real estate appraisers is the Northeast, according to data from McKissock’s 2025 Appraisal Salary Guide.
The highest income is earned by appraisers in the Northeast, with the South earning the least. The average Northeast appraiser salary is $109,972, and the South averages $91,685. Meanwhile, appraisers in the West make an average annual salary of $97,215 and those residing in the Midwest make $91,704.
If you’re seeking to relocate, it’s good to note that the cost of living will also vary across these regions.
Opportunities for future appraisers
Technology
Technology has a tremendous effect on how efficiently and credibly appraisers can complete assignments, which is appealing to the next generation of appraisers. The tech trend will increase dramatically over the next few years, making “big data” more accessible to appraisers. Mobile technology and artificial intelligence will also help appraisers to complete assignments more efficiently. Those who embrace technology and data will have a significant opportunity awaiting them in a profession on the edge of a very exciting period.
Retiring appraisers
Nearly half of appraisers have plans to retire in the next few years, especially certified appraisers and those living in the Northeast. In recent years, as veterans have retired, there haven’t been enough new appraisers to take their place. This could present great opportunities for newbies entering the field and experienced appraisers considering investing more time and money into upgrading their qualifications.
Commercial specialization
Specialization matters when it comes to earnings. Appraisers specializing in hotels, recreation/entertainment, and industrial sectors earn the highest income, while residential appraisers earn significantly less and experienced a drop in salary from 2022 to 2024. Income will grow for appraisers who gain experience, upgrade license levels, and demonstrate expertise in certain markets and specialties.
When’s the best time to jump in?
No matter the current state of the real estate market, now is an excellent time to start an appraisal career. There is a general demand for appraisers and a need for new blood in the profession. If there’s a need for appraisers in your local area, it’s a great time to jump in.
Understanding real estate market cycles
Residential appraisal volume (for lending purposes) follows the same cyclical pattern of upward and downward trends seen in housing transactions. When the housing market is up, there will be more work for appraisers. When it goes back down, residential appraisal volume will slow.
Choosing to jump in either during an upturn or downturn in the housing market offers different benefits.
Advantages of starting in a slow market
The best way to leverage the cyclical real estate market may be to begin your appraisal education and get your trainee license when the market is slower. Complete your initial coursework and start building connections with certified appraisers while the market is in a downward trend. Then, when the market turns around and appraisal volume increases again, those appraisers will be more likely to hire and train you because they’ll need extra help keeping up with the added workload.
Advantages of starting in a hot market
On the other hand, when the housing market is hot, the demand for appraisers will be even higher. You might be able to jump in and start gaining experience hours while also finishing your qualifying education—especially if you already have connections in the profession.
It really comes down to your personal preference. Do you want to dip your toes or dive in headfirst?
What inspired you to become an appraiser?
As part of our monthly survey series, we asked our real estate appraisal community, “What inspired you to become an appraiser?” Many said they were motivated by a friend or relative who worked in the profession, their love of real estate, the aspiration to own their own business, or the desire for a challenging job where every day is different. However, everyone’s story is unique.
Here are the many different survey responses shared by our appraisal community:
“Friend.”
“Family business to join.”
“Flexible schedule.”
“Autonomy.”
“Wanted to own my own business.”
“Helping others to find a reasonable estimate of their property value.”
“Helping farmers get access to the funds they need to be successful.”
“GreenStone.”
“Wanted to learn more about real estate.”
“Enjoy working in real estate. Always a challenge and many rewards.”
“I enjoy working with people and numbers.”
“Young family, steady income…unlimited income potential.”
“The autonomy of the job, and I love real estate!”
“Working as a realtor but hating sales and having an economics degree and analytical mind.”
“I love real estate, and I really enjoy the analytics of it all. Each appraisal is so different and is like putting a puzzle together.”
“Appraising has financially over the years given me freedom. When I divorced, I was able to financially stand on my own. I was even making more money than my ex in the same field.”
“I helped a fellow appraiser in the office I work at type his appraisal reports and decided I would like to do them also. While he does land appraisals, I do residential.”
“Met my mentor a few months before college graduation. He hired me as a trainee.”
“A relative of mine was an appraiser, and she seemed to enjoy the work. My college major wasn’t conducive to employment, but appraising aligned with a lot of the course material. It worked out in the end.”
“I was employed by the state highway department’s appraisal bureau as a college student and began appraisal training upon graduation. I’ve enjoyed being part of the appraisal profession. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know some very interesting and good people.”
“I grew up in the family real estate/appraisal/insurance business, and even as a young child would go to listings and showings with my father. My mother, aunts, and uncles all worked in our office from time to time. My uncle was an MAI. Guess it is in my blood.”
“A friend. He thought I would be good at it. It took me a few years to consider a career change. I remember sitting at my computer, looking at the McKissock course cart with my courses loaded, thinking: This is a big decision. Was I truly ready? I am so glad that I became an appraiser. My life has truly changed for the better.”
“I’ve been wanting to change careers and have been interested in real estate-related fields, but not necessarily selling property. Becoming an appraiser felt like the perfect fit for me…. I’m very excited that I made the choice to move forward and can’t wait to get out in the field.”
“My background is in banking, from teller work to residential and commercial lender. After 38 years I was looking for a ‘Retirement Job.’ My partner has been a certified residential appraiser for 30 years, and I had spent the last 8 years accompanying him on inspections on the weekends. I found that it was a good match for my research skills and my attention to detail, as well as the social aspect of meeting new people.”
“I worked for three different appraisers in my area, typing reports. I went to school for my real estate sales license. This was before there was a board in SC. So I have been appraising since 1990. I believe it was in the cards for me to be a real estate appraiser and not a salesman.”
“I was a schoolteacher, and my husband was an appraiser. I worked very hard as a schoolteacher, and my husband noticed. He said, ‘If you’re going to work that hard, why don’t you come work with me?’ I decided to give it a try. That was 19 years ago! It’s been a great career!”
“I really liked working in the field on the 1970 census collecting data. I was bored with working in labs for 7 years. I saw a job opening at my local assessor’s office. It said ‘work in the field.’ I had to go to the library to see what appraising was. I love it. My 50th year in appraising!”
“The potential to be self-employed and get out of my banking management position. Plus I saw a lot of horrible appraisals and thought that I could produce a better appraisal than what I was reading every day.”
“My coworkers and friends, whom I met in 2021, were appraisers and helped explain to me what it mostly entails. I was inspired to become one because otherwise, there is not much opportunity for advancement in my organization.”
“Initially, the draw to be self-employed with a career for which every day is a different experience with a detail to see, feel, and describe something tangible. At the same time, for the majority of properties, helping people achieve a goal in their lives.”
Learn more about how to become an appraiser
Want to find out more about the appraisal profession and how to get started? Browse our blog for an overview of how to become an appraiser, appraisal business start-up costs, and more. Get additional insights into this promising career path when you download our free career guide full of tips for launching your appraisal career. And if you want more real estate appraiser job outlook and salary info, check out our bi-annual appraisal income guide. The new 2025 Appraisal Income Guide is now available!
Ready to jump in? McKissock offers all the appraisal courses and support you need to launch and grow your career. Find courses in your state.
Sources cited
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Appraiser (Residential Real Estate) Salary in the United States (Salary.com)
- Appraiser Sr. (Residential Real Estate) Salary in the United States (Salary.com)
- Appraiser I (Commercial Real Estate) Salary in the United States (Salary.com)
- Appraiser IV (Commercial Real Estate) Salary in the United States (Salary.com)
- Residential Real Estate Appraiser Salaries (Glassdoor)
- Commercial Real Estate Appraiser Salaries (Glassdoor)
- Zippia Career Platform (Zippia.com)
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Property Appraisers and Assessors (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
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