Property Assessor
Property assessors determine the value of land, buildings, businesses, structures and certain types of machinery and equipment for property tax purposes.
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Appraiser, Assessor, Land Assessor
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
Starting | $32.56 |
---|---|
Overall | $42.82 |
Top | $48.74 |
Interest in analyzing data such as past sales, title searches, engineering and alignment maps, soil maps, subdivision plans, water and sewer plans, location costs and easements
Interest in advising people on the value of land, buildings, structures, machinery, equipment and property improvements for purposes of sale, purchase, taxation and disposal of assets
Interest in speaking with ratepayers to explain assessment process
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
In general, property assessors:
Property assessors must understand and keep current with legislation, regulations, minister’s guidelines and bylaws regarding property assessment and taxation.
Property assessors work in offices and in the field, and may be required to travel extensively in rural areas. Occasionally, they work long and irregular hours to meet deadlines and attend meetings.
Property assessors need:
They should enjoy analyzing data, taking a methodical approach to their work, making decisions and working with people.
Working as a property assessor in Alberta requires accreditation from the Alberta Assessors’ Association (AAA). It may take 4 to 8 years to earn the designation and involves completion of at least a diploma plus field experience. For more information, see Certification Requirements.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Municipal assessors determine the value of land, buildings, businesses, structures and certain types of machinery and equipment for property tax purposes.
Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta (AMAA) is a protected title under Alberta's Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf] and Municipal Assessor Regulation [pdf]. This means that to call yourself an Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta, you must be registered as an accredited member of the Alberta Assessors' Association (AAA). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself an Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta.
Registration requires:
Alternately, the candidate may be eligible for registration if they can demonstrate that they have an acceptable combination of education, training, experience and examinations.
In addition to these requirements, the applicant must be legally authorized to work in Canada and have been a Candidate member of AAA for at least 1 year.
For detailed official information about registration requirements, contact the Alberta Assessors' Association (AAA).
Municipal assessors who are certified by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for certification in Alberta if certified assessors in Alberta and the jurisdiction which the applicant originates have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the Alberta Assessors' Association (AAA) website.
Alberta Assessors' Association (AAA)
101, 10555-172 St.
Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1P1
Canada
Call: 780-483-4222
Email: info@assessor.ab.ca
Website: www.assessor.ab.ca
In Alberta, municipalities are the primary employers and contractors of assessment services. Small towns and municipalities often use the assessment services of private companies. Larger municipal districts, counties and metropolitan centres may have their own assessment staff.
Property assessors also may work for the Government of Alberta, or they may become company tax representatives or move into related appraisal fields.
Assessors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1314: Assessors, valuators and appraisers. In Alberta, 76% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 1314: Assessors, valuators and appraisers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Many property assessors work on a contract basis, so their earnings may vary considerably.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $19.23 | $48.11 | $32.56 | $28.88 |
Overall | $31.04 | $58.26 | $42.82 | $38.98 |
Top | $34.33 | $61.08 | $48.74 | $50.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Public Administration | $94,722 |
---|---|
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $84,720 |
ALL INDUSTRIES | $83,964 |
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $77,260 |
Alberta Assessors’ Association website: www.assessor.ab.ca
Appraisal Institute of Canada Alberta (AIC-AB) website: www.aicanada.ca/province-alberta/alberta
Canadian National Association of Real Estate Appraisers (CNAREA) website: cnarea.ca
International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) website: www.iaao.org
Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) website: www.reca.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.