Is being a real estate appraiser a good career?

Government data points to solid pay and steady demand. The median annual wage for property appraisers and assessors was $67,960 in May 2025, above the $50,980 median for all occupations, and employment is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, with about 5,200 openings each year. Most appraisers work full time, and self-employed independent fee appraisers may work more than 40 hours per week.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $67,960 for property appraisers and assessors as of May 2025, with the top 10% earning over $122,660. Employment is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 5,200 openings per year, mostly from replacement needs. Typical entry education is a bachelor's degree, and federal law requires state licensure or certification for federally related transactions.

Whether the career fits you is a personal call, but the available figures describe a small, regulated profession. Washington had 2,481 state-credentialed appraisers on the Appraiser Registry as of the August 2025 federal compliance review, and entry requires trainee registration, supervised experience, and a national exam before certification. Income varies by credential level and property complexity rather than a fixed rate.