Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

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Career Profile

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

What they do

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.

Also Called: Abstractor, Commercial Title Examiner, Searcher, Title Abstractor, Title Agent, Title Examiner, Title Officer, Title Searcher, Abstractor, Commercial Title Examiner, Searcher, Title Abstractor, Title Agent, Title Examiner, Title Officer, Title Searcher

Job Data & Employment

*National data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$38,170
Starting Salary (2025)
$58,650
Median Salary (2025)
2.0%
Projected Job Growth
48,580
Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

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.
Read search requests to ascertain types of title evidence required and to obtain descriptions of properties and names of involved parties.
Copy or summarize recorded documents, such as mortgages, trust deeds, and contracts, that affect property titles.
Prepare lists of all legal instruments applying to a specific piece of land and the buildings on it.
Obtain maps or drawings delineating properties from company title plants, county surveyors, or assessors' offices.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Enterprising
Business based Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Attention to Detail
Integrity
Dependability
Cooperation
Stress Tolerance
Analytical Thinking

What key skills are needed for this job?

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Writing
Complex Problem Solving

Expected Knowledge

English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Common Activities

Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 2

Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • High school diploma 60%
  • Bachelor's degree 13%
  • Post-secondary certificate 13%
  • Associate's degree 12%
  • Some college 1%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.