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Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher

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Life As a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher

Position Description 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.

Life As a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher: What Do They Do?

  • Direct activities of workers who search records and examine titles, assigning, scheduling, and evaluating work, and providing technical guidance as necessary.
  • Prepare and issue title commitments and title insurance policies based on information compiled from title searches.
  • Examine individual titles to determine if restrictions, such as delinquent taxes, will affect titles and limit property use.
  • Obtain maps or drawings delineating properties from company title plants, county surveyors, or assessors’ offices.
  • Prepare lists of all legal instruments applying to a specific piece of land and the buildings on it.
  • Prepare reports describing any title encumbrances encountered during searching activities, and outlining actions needed to clear titles.

What a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher Should Know

These are the skills Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers say are the most useful in their careers:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Other Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher Job Titles

  • Searcher
  • Title Investigator
  • Title Inspector
  • Land Title Examiner
  • Abstract Searcher

What Kind of Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher Job Opportunities Are There?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 69,000 jobs in the United States for Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.3% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,000 new jobs for Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher by 2026. There will be an estimated 6,000 positions for Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher are Utah, North Dakota, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher Make?

The salary for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers ranges between about $28,610 and $80,150 a year.

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Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers who work in District of Columbia, Oregon, or West Virginia, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $43,440
Alaska $59,530
Arizona $53,850
Arkansas $37,060
California $58,180
Colorado $64,900
Connecticut $57,130
Delaware $49,160
District of Columbia $74,080
Florida $50,350
Georgia $39,410
Hawaii $58,260
Idaho $66,690
Illinois $47,670
Indiana $40,020
Iowa $35,560
Kansas $43,550
Kentucky $39,760
Louisiana $38,370
Maine $51,770
Maryland $41,100
Massachusetts $63,330
Michigan $41,350
Minnesota $58,170
Mississippi $43,500
Missouri $47,830
Montana $48,250
Nebraska $38,540
Nevada $56,090
New Hampshire $42,720
New Jersey $56,870
New Mexico $49,800
New York $60,500
North Carolina $48,880
North Dakota $57,610
Ohio $48,520
Oklahoma $49,280
Oregon $65,150
Pennsylvania $46,170
South Carolina $50,290
South Dakota $50,120
Tennessee $45,830
Texas $57,940
Utah $46,670
Virginia $45,530
Washington $49,440
West Virginia $59,440
Wisconsin $48,730
Wyoming $48,120

What Tools & Technology do Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Salesforce
  • Contact management software

Becoming a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher

Are there Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers education requirements?

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What work experience do I need to become a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher?

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Where Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Those thinking about becoming a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher might also be interested in the following careers:

Those who work as a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rau via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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