Structural Analysis of U.S. Appraiser Income

Abstract

This study represents the first investigation of appraiser income at the national level. It is especially timely because it addresses the value of Appraisal Institute designations in a post-FIRREA world, in addition to investigating the impact of gender on appraiser income. The study employs a worker-productivity, human-capital model and finds that appraiser income is positively and significantly impacted by the amount of work effort expended, the level of appraisal experience, and the formal education and professional training attained by an appraiser. Appraisal Institute designations are found to have a significant and positive impact on income, even in a post-FIRREA world of required appraiser licensing and certification. Gender does not appear to impact appraiser income. However, questions do arise regarding the status of female (and minority) appraisers.