Surveying and Mapping Technicians earn a median of $54,240 per year ($26.08/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.8% through 2035, with about 6,900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 17-3031
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Surveying and Mapping Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $54,240a year, or $26.08/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $38KTop 10% $82K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6,90058,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202558.8K
- Projected 203562.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 58.8K Projected 2035 62.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Field Surveyor, Land Survey Technician (Land Survey Tech), Land Surveyor, Mapping Editor, Mapping Technician (Mapping Tech), Photogrammetric Technician (Photogrammetric Tech).
Pay
How much do Surveying and Mapping Technicians make?
Every surveying and mapping technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$54,240
Middle half earn $45,430 to $66,700
- 10th
- $37,520
- 25th
- $45,430
- 75th
- $66,700
- 90th
- $81,630
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,520 |
| 25th | $45,430 |
| Median | $54,240 |
| 75th | $66,700 |
| 90th | $81,630 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $54,240
- Median hourly wage
- $26.08/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $58,000
- People employed
- 58,010
Versus all US occupations
At $54,240, Surveying and Mapping Technicians earn 6% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $3,260 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 48% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $81,630 or more while the bottom 10% earn $37,520, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 26% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($78,110), but once local prices are taken into account Alaska leads at $75,196 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Surveying and Mapping Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $78,110 | $70,547 | 3,340 |
| 2Alaska | $76,970 | $75,196 | 300 |
| 3Minnesota | $73,190 | $74,213 | 1,060 |
| 4Washington | $62,720 | $58,610 | 1,030 |
| 5Maryland | $61,600 | $58,690 | 470 |
| 6North Dakota | $60,870 | $68,425 | 160 |
| 7New Jersey | $60,720 | $55,806 | 750 |
| 8Montana | $60,330 | $63,743 | 430 |
| 9Ohio | $60,330 | $65,029 | 1,350 |
| 10Rhode Island | $60,320 | $58,975 | 110 |
Job outlook
Is Surveying and Mapping Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | +5.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Surveying and Mapping Technicians to change 5.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 6,900 openings are projected each year, 11.7% of the 58,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Increased demand for map information is expected to require surveying and mapping technicians to gather and prepare related data. Although drones and other advancements make some aspects of survey work more efficient, surveying and mapping technicians will continue to be needed to review and interpret the output of these technologies to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Getting in
How to become a Surveying and Mapping Technician
Surveying and mapping technicians typically need a high school diploma. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have additional education or have experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or other technology.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a Surveying and Mapping Technician do?
Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.
Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth’s surface. They may calculate mapmaking information and create maps from surveying notes, satellite data, or other sources to show features such as topography and boundaries. They assist surveyors and cartographers and photogrammetrists.
Day-to-day tasks
- Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.
- Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments.
- Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.
- Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.
- Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.
- Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.
- Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.
- Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most surveying and mapping technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where surveying and mapping technicians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Architectural, engineering, and related services60%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals11%
- Other support services9%
- Utilities4%
- Self-employed workers1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 60% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 11% |
| Other support services | 9% |
| Utilities | 4% |
| Self-employed workers | 1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Mathematics3.3
- Active Listening3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Writing2.9
- Active Learning2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Mathematics | 3.3 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Time Management3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Systems Analysis2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Management of Personnel Resources2.8
- Operation and Control2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Systems Analysis | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 2.8 |
| Operation and Control | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Surveying and Mapping Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Surveying and Mapping Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.9
- Conventional5.6
- Investigative4.0
- Artistic1.9
- Social1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Surveying and Mapping Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Computer and Mathematical
Geographic Information Systems Technologist and Technician
$116,580median a year
Most earn $56K to $188K
+5.1%Bachelor's - Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$53,350median a year
Most earn $36K to $100K
+3.6%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with surveying and mapping technicians highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
- Surveying and Mapping Technician$54,240
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technician | $54,240 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within surveying and mapping technician
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Surveying and Mapping Technician appears on
Questions
Surveying and Mapping Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Surveying and Mapping Technicians make?
Surveying and Mapping Technicians earn a median of $54,240 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 6% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $26.08/hr. The middle half earn between $45,430 and $66,700. The top 10% earn $81,630 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Surveying and Mapping Technician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Surveying and Mapping Technicians. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Surveying and Mapping Technician a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 6,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Surveying and Mapping Technician do?
Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth’s surface. A core O*NET task: calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Development environment software.
Which states pay Surveying and Mapping Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Surveying and Mapping Technicians are California ($78,110), Alaska ($76,970), Minnesota ($73,190) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Alaska moves to the top at $75,196.
What personality type suits a Surveying and Mapping Technician?
O*NET scores Surveying and Mapping Technicians highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.