Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
In Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, title examiners, abstractors, and searchers earn $69,600 at the median — $33.46 an hour. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $62,629 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 51.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $70K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About title examiners, abstractors, and searchers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level title examiners, abstractors, and searchers (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K.Top earners bring in $96K or more - a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $78K | +41% | 4,120 |
| Oregon | $76K | +39% | 700 |
| Massachusetts | $75K | +37% | 140 |
| West Virginia | $66K | +20% | 410 |
| New York | $66K | +19% | 1,530 |
| New Hampshire | $62K | +13% | N/A |
| Washington | $61K | +10% | 860 |
| Nevada | $60K | +10% | 320 |
| Rhode Island | $60K | +9% | 120 |
| Arizona | $60K | +9% | 1,490 |
| Utah | $59K | +8% | 1,330 |
| New Jersey | $59K | +7% | 650 |
| Alaska | $59K | +6% | 60 |
| North Carolina | $58K | +5% | 260 |
| Texas | $56K | +3% | 5,550 |
Track title examiners, abstractors, and searchers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do title examiners, abstractors, and searchers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $69,600 a year - that works out to about $33.46 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,700, and experienced title examiners, abstractors, and searchers can clear $95,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,779/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a title examiners, abstractors, and searchers salary go in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median title examiners, abstractors, and searchers salary is worth about $62,629 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do title examiners, abstractors, and searchers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.