Business & Office career

Title Examiner

Also called: Title Searcher · Abstractor · Title Officer · Land Title Examiner

What title examiners do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a title examiner do?

Title examiners, abstractors and searchers search real estate records, examine titles and summarize documents affecting property ownership. The median pay is $58,650 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Several months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +2.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $58,650
    $28.20/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +2.1%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    5,300
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Several months on the job
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    59,800
    Employment, 2025

What title examiners do

Title examiners make real estate sales safe. They search county records for deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments and easements, trace the chain of ownership, find problems that must be cleared before closing and prepare reports that title insurers rely on.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; some states license title agents. BLS projects slow growth.

Typical duties

  • Search property records
  • Trace chain of title
  • Find liens and judgments
  • Review legal descriptions
  • Prepare title reports
  • Identify title defects
  • Work with closers and attorneys

Work environment and schedule

Title examiners work in title company offices, county recorder offices and remotely.

Schedule: Full time, busier when home sales are strong.

A day in the life

  1. Open new title orders.
  2. Search county records online.
  3. Trace a 40-year chain of title.
  4. Find an old unreleased mortgage.

See a full day in the life of a title examiner →

Title Examiner salary

Half of title examiners earned more than $58,650 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $38,170 for the lowest 10% to $90,830 for the top 10%.

Full title examiner pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a title examiner

  1. Finish high school
  2. Join a title company
  3. Learn records searching
  4. Examine titles
  5. Get licensed if required

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; some states require a license.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a title examiner →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Records searching
  • Chain of title analysis
  • Legal descriptions
  • Lien research
  • Title insurance basics

People skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Patience
  • Persistence
  • Organization

All title examiner skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Detective-style research
  • Remote options
  • No degree required
  • Steady with real estate

Cons

  • Volume swings with the housing market
  • Detail pressure
  • Old handwritten records
  • Deadlines tied to closings

Certifications and licenses

  • State title agent license: Required in some states.
  • Land Title Professional: ALTA credential.
  • Title examiner training: Industry courses.
  • Notary public: Helpful.

Career path

  1. Title Searcher: Entry.
  2. Title Examiner: Examine.
  3. Senior Examiner: Complex titles.
  4. Title Officer: Approve policies.

Learn the job before day one

Our Title Examiner training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a full title search and spot a break in the chain of title, safety and how to land your first job.

View Title Examiner trainingIs this career right for me?

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Compare: Title Examiner vs. Paralegal · Title Examiner vs. Real Estate Agent · Title Examiner vs. Loan Processor · Title Examiner vs. Real Estate Broker

Title Examiner FAQ

Do title examiners need a degree?

No, a high school diploma and training are typical.

Can they work remotely?

Many do, using online records.

Does work depend on the housing market?

Yes, volume rises and falls with home sales.

How much does a title examiner make?

The median annual wage for title examiners was $58,650 ($28.20 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,170 and the highest 10% earned more than $90,830.

How long does it take to become a title examiner?

Most people need about Several months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; some states require a license.

Do you need a degree to be a title examiner?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More title examiner questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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