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Occupation · SOC 23-2093

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

There are 48,580 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $58,650 a year. The most jobs are in Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX.

LegalTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
48,580
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$58,650
Median pay a year
Middle half: $47,420–$74,810
5,300
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.1%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 156 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $61,530 · LCA filings 02,140$61,5300
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $61,500 · LCA filings 01,830$61,5000
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $63,470 · LCA filings 01,730$63,4700
Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLMedian pay $56,880 · LCA filings 01,220$56,8800
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $51,030 · LCA filings 01,160$51,0300
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $49,330 · LCA filings 0940$49,3300
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $59,340 · LCA filings 0880$59,3400
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $56,490 · LCA filings 0860$56,4900
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $79,630 · LCA filings 0850$79,6300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $56,710 · LCA filings 0810$56,7100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Midland, TXEmployment 140 · LCA filings 0$112,4201400
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$94,7101300
Vallejo, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$85,950400
Salem, OREmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$80,490300
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 850 · LCA filings 0$79,6308500

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $55,203 · Level III $65,749 · Level IV $76,315$44,637$55,203$65,749$76,315
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $63,523 · Level III $71,510 · Level IV $79,477$55,557$63,523$71,510$79,477
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $57,949 · Level III $70,054 · Level IV $82,139$45,864$57,949$70,054$82,139
Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLLevel II $50,440 · Level III $57,741 · Level IV $65,062$43,118$50,440$57,741$65,062
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $47,549 · Level III $55,099 · Level IV $62,670$39,978$47,549$55,099$62,670
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $50,960 · Level III $58,802 · Level IV $66,622$43,139$50,960$58,802$66,622
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $54,766 · Level III $62,546 · Level IV $70,325$46,987$54,766$62,546$70,325
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $52,603 · Level III $64,230 · Level IV $75,837$40,997$52,603$64,230$75,837
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $67,309 · Level III $79,123 · Level IV $90,917$55,515$67,309$79,123$90,917
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $51,979 · Level III $59,072 · Level IV $66,165$44,886$51,979$59,072$66,165

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology