The median pay for Surveyors is $75,440 a year ($36.27/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.8% through 2035, with about 3,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-1022
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Surveyor in four numbers
- Median pay
- $75,440a year, or $36.27/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $126K
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
- 3,10052,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202552K
- Projected 203555K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 52K Projected 2035 55K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school15.8%
- Certificate5.3%
- Some college21.1%
- Associate's10.5%
- Bachelor's47.4%
Highest education held by surveyors Segment Value High school 15.8% Certificate 5.3% Some college 21.1% Associate's 10.5% Bachelor's 47.4%
Also advertised as: City Surveyor, County Surveyor, Land Surveyor, Licensed Land Surveyor, Mine Surveyor, Professional Land Surveyor.
Pay
How much do Surveyors make?
Every surveyor in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$75,440
Middle half earn $58,170 to $98,130
- 10th
- $46,880
- 25th
- $58,170
- 75th
- $98,130
- 90th
- $125,590
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,880 |
| 25th | $58,170 |
| Median | $75,440 |
| 75th | $98,130 |
| 90th | $125,590 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $75,440
- Median hourly wage
- $36.27/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $80,570
- People employed
- 50,830
Versus all US occupations
At $75,440, Surveyors earn 48% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $24,460 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 28% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $125,590 or more while the bottom 10% earn $46,880, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 51% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($105,330), but once local prices are taken into account Alaska leads at $97,256 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Surveyors 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 | $105,330 | $95,132 | 4,520 |
| 2Alaska | $99,550 | $97,256 | 250 |
| 3Oregon | $97,070 | $93,914 | 530 |
| 4Massachusetts | $94,590 | $89,441 | 1,290 |
| 5Washington | $85,610 | $80,000 | 780 |
| 6Montana | $84,610 | $89,397 | 350 |
| 7Minnesota | $83,620 | $84,789 | 980 |
| 8Maine | $83,200 | $85,729 | 270 |
| 9Delaware | $82,890 | $83,049 | 120 |
| 10Nevada | $82,460 | $82,477 | 490 |
Job outlook
Is Surveyor 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 |
|---|---|
| Surveyors | +5.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Surveyors to change 5.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,100 openings are projected each year, 6.0% of the 52,000 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.
Surveyors will continue to be needed to certify boundary lines and review sites for construction. Employment demand also will be tied to projects such as road repair and mining activities. Although drones and other advancements make some aspects of survey work more efficient, surveyors 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 Surveyor
Surveyors typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. They must be licensed before they can certify legal documents and provide surveying services to the public.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Internship/residency
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as surveyors.
- Bachelor's Degree47.4%
- Some College Courses21.1%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)15.8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree10.5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate5.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 47.4% |
| Some College Courses | 21.1% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 15.8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 10.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 5.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Surveyor do?
Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries. They provide data relevant to features of the Earth’s surface, such as shape and contour, for engineering, mapmaking, construction, and other purposes.
Day-to-day tasks
- Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
- Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
- Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
- Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.
- Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
- Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.
- Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS).
- Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most surveyors work full time. They may have longer workdays while doing fieldwork.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
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 dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict 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 surveyors work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Architectural, engineering, and related services71%
- Construction10%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals9%
- Self-employed workers2%
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 71% |
| Construction | 10% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 9% |
| Self-employed workers | 2% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Mathematics4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Writing3.8
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Speaking3.6
- Active Listening3.5
- Active Learning3.3
- Learning Strategies3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.6 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Coordination3.5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Instructing3.0
- Systems Analysis3.0
- Management of Personnel Resources2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 3.5 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Application server software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Data conversion software
- Document management software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Information retrieval or search software
“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 Surveyor?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Surveyor |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Conventional5.3
- Realistic5.3
- Investigative4.7
- Artistic2.1
- Enterprising1.9
- Social1.6
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 Surveyor
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician
$64,950median a year
Most earn $44K to $99K
+3.2%Associate's - Construction and Extraction
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with surveyors 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
- Surveyor$75,440
| 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 |
| Surveyor | $75,440 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within surveyor
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Surveyor appears on
Questions
Surveyor: frequently asked questions
How much do Surveyors make?
Surveyors earn a median of $75,440 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 48% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $36.27/hr. The middle half earn between $58,170 and $98,130. The top 10% earn $125,590 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Surveyor?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Surveyors, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. BLS also lists internship/residency as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 47.4% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Surveyor 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 3,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Surveyor do?
Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries. A core O*NET task: verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Geographic information system, Office suite software.
Which states pay Surveyors the most?
The highest state medians for Surveyors are California ($105,330), Alaska ($99,550), Oregon ($97,070) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Alaska moves to the top at $97,256.
What personality type suits a Surveyor?
O*NET scores Surveyors highest on the Conventional, Realistic and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. 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.