How much does a certified general appraiser make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports pay only for appraisers as a whole: a median of $67,960 per year in May 2025, not broken out by credential. Market sources that separate license level place certified general appraisers at roughly $81,000 to $147,000 a year, the highest of any appraiser license level.
Certified General appraisers generally out-earn residential appraisers because their credential covers all types of real property, including commercial work that commands higher fees. Salary listings for Arizona show commercial specialists earning well above residential appraisers. Income varies with credential level, specialty, and assignment volume.
Sources: Arizona Administrative Code, Title 4, Chapter 46 — Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, Real Estate Appraisal (Supp. 24-4); Arizona DIFI — Application Requirements: Registered Trainee Real Property Appraiser.
Certified General appraisers, who handle commercial and other complex properties, generally sit at the upper end of the pay range. Nationally, the median annual wage for property appraisers and assessors was $67,960 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with the highest-paid earning more than $122,660.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Certified General appraisers typically earn the highest income of the three credential levels, since they can appraise all types of real property, including higher-paying commercial and industrial work. In Colorado, appraisers' earnings generally span the mid five figures into six figures, depending on credential level, workload, and market.
Sources: Colorado DRE: Appraiser Qualifying Education, Experience and Examination Requirements; Colorado DRE: Appraiser Steps for Initial Licensure, Levels of Licensure and Certification.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median wage of $67,960 per year for property appraisers and assessors as of May 2025, with the highest 10% earning more than $122,660. There is no official Connecticut wage figure for certified general appraisers, but industry salary estimates place average commercial appraiser pay in the state near or above the national median at the upper end, varying with specialty, clients, and workload.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $67,960 for property appraisers and assessors as of May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning under $40,030 and the highest 10% earning over $122,660. That figure covers all appraisers and assessors, not certified general appraisers specifically. Independent fee appraisers are paid per appraisal, and earnings vary significantly.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Florida does not publish wage data for Certified General appraisers separately. Earnings vary by market and assignment volume, and because the Certified General credential covers commercial and other non-residential property, these appraisers generally earn toward the upper end of the field.
Sources: Fla. Stat. 475.615: Qualifications for registration or certification; Florida DBPR checklist: Registered Trainee Appraiser (FREAB 11).
Certified General appraisers typically earn the most among the classifications, because their scope covers commercial and other non-residential property. In Georgia, commercial appraisers out-earn residential appraisers, though pay varies widely with fee volume, market activity, and whether the appraiser works independently or for a firm. The classification requires a Bachelor's degree and 3,000 hours of experience, at least half non-residential.
Sources: Georgia GREAB: obtaining an appraiser classification.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $67,960 for property appraisers and assessors in May 2025, with the highest 10% earning over $122,660. Median pay varies by industry: $83,630 in finance and insurance, $64,370 in local government, and $62,420 in real estate. Earnings generally rise with credential level, and the certified general credential carries the heaviest entry requirements, including a bachelor's degree and 3,000 hours of experience.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors; Hawaii Administrative Rules ch. 16-114 (amended and compiled Nov 27, 2016): Real Estate Appraisers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report wages separately for certified general appraisers. Its median annual wage for property appraisers and assessors overall was $67,960 in May 2025, with top earners making well above that median. Certified general appraisers, the only credential covering all types of real property, typically earn the most among the four credential levels.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Certified General appraisers handle commercial and other non-residential assignments, work that generally commands higher fees than residential appraising. Earnings still vary widely with experience, market conditions, and assignment volume.
Sources: IDFPR — How Do I Become an Appraiser Trainee in Illinois; IDFPR — Required QE Courses, Illinois.
Certified General appraisers, who can appraise all types of real property including commercial, generally earn more on average than residential-only appraisers. Published Indiana pay data for commercial appraisers spans a wide range, with averages well above the overall state mean for property appraisers and assessors. Individual earnings vary with workload, market area, and client mix.
Sources: Indiana PLA: real estate appraiser licensing information (applications, fee schedule, renewal); Indiana Real Estate Appraiser Licensure and Certification Board (PLA): home page.
No Iowa wage figure separates certified general appraisers from the occupation as a whole; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2023 covers property appraisers and assessors together and places Iowa among the top five highest-paying states for that occupation. Certified general is Iowa's top credential, and it authorizes appraisal of all real estate, including commercial and agricultural property.
Sources: Iowa Code ch. 543D: Real Estate Appraisals and Appraisers (Iowa Appraisal Standards and Appraiser Certification Law); Iowa Admin. Code 481-2034: Associate real estate appraiser.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median wage for property appraisers and assessors at $67,960 as of May 2025, with the top 10% earning more than $122,660. Commercial work pays the most: appraisers in finance and insurance earned a median of $83,630. Kentucky Certified General appraisers, who value commercial property, report earning potential that reaches well into six figures.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Certified General appraisers are paid per assignment rather than at a fixed rate, and their incomes in Louisiana vary widely with market, client base, and years of experience. Commercial appraisal work shows the widest income range of the appraisal fields, and the Certified General credential covers all types of real property without regard to value, which broadens the assignments available and opens larger commercial work.
Sources: LREAB: Appraiser Trainee requirements and supervision; LREAB: Licensed Residential Appraiser.
Federal wage data cover all property appraisers and assessors rather than certified general appraisers alone. The national median annual wage was $67,960 in May 2025, and the highest-paid earned more than $122,660. By industry, finance and insurance paid a median of $83,630.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Certified General appraisers hold the highest federally recognized credential, and they generally earn the most of any appraiser level on average. Earnings still vary with market, specialization, and assignment volume, but this credential permits the most complex assignments, including commercial and non-residential work.
Sources: Missouri Real Estate Appraisers Commission: home page; Missouri REAC: fees (official fee schedule).
Certified general appraisers earn well above the occupation-wide median. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median of $67,960 for all appraisers and assessors in May 2025, and industry salary surveys place certified general income at the top of the appraisal field. Actual income varies with specialization, volume, and local market.
Sources: CareerOneStop (US DOL): Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate occupation profile.
Certified General Appraisers earn between $81,000 and $147,000, according to National Association of Realtors salary data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual wage for all property appraisers and assessors at $67,960 as of May 2025, with the highest 10% earning more than $122,660.
Sources: NAR — Real Estate Appraiser Salary; BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Certified General appraisers generally earn the most of the four credential levels in North Carolina, consistent with the broadest scope of that credential, which covers commercial and other non-residential property. Income still varies widely with hours worked, market, and fee volume.
Sources: NCAB: becoming an appraiser (trainee, licensed residential, certified residential, certified general); NCAB: education (QE, CE, USPAP, valuation bias course).
Certified general appraisers are the top earners among the credential levels. The National Association of Realtors reports typical earnings of $81,000 to $147,000 for certified general appraisers, compared with a median annual income of $102,200 for all real estate appraisers in 2022. The certified general credential requires the most investment to obtain: 300 hours of qualifying education, a bachelor's degree, 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, and the national exam.
Sources: NAR - Appraiser Salary Guide; ND Appraiser Board: summary of appraiser requirements (effective Jan 1, 2026).
Certified General appraisers generally earn the most among the credential levels, because their credential covers all types of real property at any transaction value, including commercial work. Actual pay varies with client base and market. The credential requires 300 hours of qualifying education, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience, which supports the broadest practice scope and the highest earning potential.
Sources: AQB 2026 Criteria summary chart (education, experience, scope by credential), hosted by Oklahoma REAB (REA-09, effective January 1, 2026).
No federal wage series separates certified general appraisers, but the field pays well at the top: property appraisers and assessors earned a national median of $67,960 in May 2025, the highest 10% earned more than $122,660, and finance and insurance paid an industry median of $83,630. Certified General is the top credential, requiring 300 hours of education, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 experience hours including 1,500 in non-residential work, which positions holders for the highest-value assignments.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors (May 2025 data; page last modified August 27, 2026); Pearson VUE: National Appraiser Examination Candidate Handbook (#229900, March 2025).
Federal wage data cover property appraisers and assessors as a group: the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $67,960 as of May 2025, with the highest 10% earning more than $122,660. Appraisers in finance and insurance earned a median of $83,630, the highest of the major employing industries. Certified General Appraisers, who may appraise all types of real property including commercial work, typically earn the most among the license levels.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report pay by credential level. Its national figures show a median of $67,960 for property appraisers and assessors in May 2025, or $32.67 per hour. In commercial-heavy settings the median was higher: $83,630 in finance and insurance, versus $62,420 in real estate. Earnings at the high end topped $122,660.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.
No Vermont-specific wage figure exists for Certified General appraisers. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $67,960 for property appraisers and assessors as of May 2025, with the highest 10 percent earning over $122,660. Those working in finance and insurance earned $83,630, the highest-paying industry.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors; 26 V.S.A. § 3319a: appraiser trainee registration.
Wage data are not broken out by appraisal credential level, so no figure exists specifically for certified general appraisers. Nationally, property appraisers and assessors earned a median annual wage of $67,960 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ranging from under $40,030 to more than $122,660. Appraisers in finance and insurance earned a median of $83,630, compared with $62,420 in real estate.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Property Appraisers and Assessors.