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Law & Government

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Median salary (BLS)

$58,650

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$38k – $91k

Job outlook

+2% (about average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$200–$5,150

Time to qualify

1 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    High school diploma or GED

    Course

    Expected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.

    $0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    On-the-job training

    Experience

    Employer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.

    Cost varies · 3 months source

  3. 3

    Bar exam / state licensure / academy

    License

    Lawyers: the state bar exam. Public-safety roles: a training academy plus state certification.

    $200–$5,000 · 6 months · varies by state source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

    Entry / Junior

    $38,170

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

    Established

    $58,650

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

    Senior

    $74,740

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Examine documentation such as mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, plat books, maps, contracts, and agreements to verify factors such as properties' legal descriptions, ownership, or restrictions.
  • •Examine individual titles to determine if restrictions, such as delinquent taxes, will affect titles and limit property use.
  • •Prepare reports describing any title encumbrances encountered during searching activities and outlining actions needed to clear titles.
  • •Copy or summarize recorded documents, such as mortgages, trust deeds, and contracts, that affect property titles.
  • •Verify accuracy and completeness of land-related documents accepted for registration, preparing rejection notices when documents are not acceptable.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.