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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:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
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
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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 for this NOC group 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.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
In general, property assessors:
Property assessors must understand and keep current with rules, laws, and bylaws affecting property assessment and taxation. These can include:
Property assessors work in offices and in the field. They inspect property and improvements to validate data. They may need to travel a lot in urban or 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 1 of:
The AMAA designation can take 4 to 8 years to earn. It involves completion of at least a diploma in Urban Land Economics (with a specialization in assessment) plus field experience.
However, the AAA has partnered with the University of British Columbia to offer a Fast-Track program to their AMAA designation. It is open to bachelor’s level graduates of Canadian business schools. 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.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Municipal and provincial assessors determine the value of land, buildings, businesses, structures, and certain types of machinery and equipment for property tax purposes.
Under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act [pdf] and Qualifications of Assessor Regulation [pdf], to engage in the practice of assessment, you must be an accredited member of the Alberta Assessors’ Association (AAA) or hold a designation from the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) or the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).
Under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf] and Municipal Assessor Regulation [pdf], you must register as an accredited member of the Alberta Assessors’ Association (AAA) to call yourself an Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta (AMAA).
You do not have to register with the AAA if you do not call yourself an Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Municipal or Provincial Assessor.
In Alberta, municipalities are the primary employers and contractors of assessment services. They must appoint an assessor according to the Municipal Government Act. 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 private industry. They may work in an assessor capacity for the Centralized Assessment of Industrial Property (CIPA) or as an assessment auditor who reviews municipal assessments. They also may become company tax representatives or move into related appraisal fields.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 1314: Assessors, valuators and appraisers occupational group, 86.7% of people work in:
Employment outlook is 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.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
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 widely.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
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.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
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.
| 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.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| 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, 2022. 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.
