How to become an Appraiser of Personal and Business Property

Official title: Appraisers of Personal and Business Property

Also called: Accredited Appraiser, Aircraft Appraiser, Appraiser, Art Appraiser, Certified Appraiser, Gem and Jewelry Appraiser, Jewelry Appraiser, Personal Property Appraiser

Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land.

Main tasks

• Write descriptions of the property being appraised.
• Determine the appropriate type of valuation to make, such as fair market, replacement, or liquidation, based on the needs of the property owner.
• Document physical characteristics of property such as measurements, quality, and design.
• Calculate the value of property based on comparisons to recent sales, estimated cost to reproduce, and anticipated property income streams.
• Locate and record data on sales of comparable property using specialized software, internet searches, or personal records.
• Write and submit appraisal reports for property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment.
• Inspect personal or business property.
• Create and maintain a database of completed appraisals.

How to become one

Property appraisers and assessors typically need a bachelor's degree, although educational requirements vary. Appraisers of real estate must meet state licensure or certification requirements.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
• Licence: A licence is required in 44 states.

Pay · Outlook

• About 68,400 people work in this job now, and about 70,700 are projected by 2035. (+3.5%)

Related jobs

• Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
• Financial and Investment Analysts
• Accountants and Auditors
• Budget Analysts
• Credit Analysts
• Personal Financial Advisors

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Appraiser of Personal and Business Property?

Property appraisers and assessors typically need a bachelor's degree, although educational requirements vary. Appraisers of real estate must meet state licensure or certification requirements.

Is an Appraiser of Personal and Business Property a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 68,400 to about 70,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Appraiser of Personal and Business Property?

Not always. 57% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.