Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
SOC Code: 23-2093 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
Advertisement
Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $65,811 | $81,328 | $96,824 | $112,341 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $69,784 | $83,346 | $96,928 | $110,490 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $59,426 | $75,192 | $90,938 | $106,704 |
| Vallejo, CA | $68,931 | $81,078 | $93,226 | $105,373 |
| Redding, CA | $59,738 | $74,402 | $89,066 | $103,730 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $45,136 | $64,418 | $83,678 | $102,960 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $57,179 | $72,218 | $87,235 | $102,274 |
| Modesto, CA | $45,198 | $64,189 | $83,179 | $102,170 |
| Salinas, CA | $56,285 | $71,552 | $86,798 | $102,066 |
| Chico, CA | $60,299 | $73,840 | $87,360 | $100,901 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 | |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 | |
| Speaking | 3.6 | |
| Writing | 3.4 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | |
| Time Management | 3.1 | |
| Active Learning | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| English Language | 3.6 |
| Law and Government | 3.5 |
| Administrative | 3.1 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.1 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.6 |
| Geography | 2.3 |
| Production and Processing | 2.3 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 60.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 13.4% |
| Some college | 13.4% |
| Associate's degree | 12.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Prepare lists of all legal instruments applying to a specific piece of land and the buildings on it.
- 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.
- 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.
- Verify accuracy and completeness of land-related documents accepted for registration, preparing rejection notices when documents are not acceptable.
- Confer with realtors, lending institution personnel, buyers, sellers, contractors, surveyors, and courthouse personnel to exchange title-related information or to resolve problems.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Acrobat Google Workspace software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Salesforce software Accounting software Contact management software Customer relationship management CRM software Data Trace Title IQ File management software
Calculate your wage level for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers →
Advertisement
H-1B Guides & Resources
Looking for an H-1B immigration attorney?
Find experienced immigration lawyers in our attorney directory.