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Civil Engineering & Infrastructure
AECOM, Jacobs, WSP
Surveyors
Surveyors measure and map the exact position of land, boundaries, elevations, and built features so construction, utilities, and property records match reality. The work mixes field measurements with computer-based analysis, so one day can mean standing on a job site with GNSS equipment and the next can mean checking survey data against legal documents and standards. The main tradeoff is precision under pressure: mistakes can create expensive boundary disputes or construction errors, but the job also depends on weather, terrain, and project deadlines.
Also known as Land SurveyorProfessional Land SurveyorRegistered Land SurveyorProject SurveyorBoundary Surveyor
Median Salary
$72,740
Mean $76,730
U.S. Workforce
~53K
3.9K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+4.4%
56.1K to 58.6K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Surveyors sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~53K workers, with a median annual pay of $72,740 and roughly 3.9K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 56.1 K in 2024 to 58.6K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering, or a related field, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Survey Technician and can progress toward Professional Land Surveyor / Survey Manager. High-value skills usually include Mathematics & Survey Calculations, Reading Comprehension & Plan Review, and Critical Thinking & Survey Quality Control, paired with soft skills such as Active listening, Writing clearly, and Speaking with clients and crews.
Core Responsibilities
- Check raw survey measurements to make sure they match project requirements and land survey standards.
- Review control points and decide whether a site needs more measurements before the data can be trusted.
- Measure the exact location, elevation, and shape of points on land using surveying instruments and satellite-based equipment.
- Rework older surveys so property lines, roads, utilities, and other mapped features line up with current ground conditions and grid systems.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Check raw survey measurements to make sure they match project requirements and land survey standards.
02 Review control points and decide whether a site needs more measurements before the data can be trusted.
03 Measure the exact location, elevation, and shape of points on land using surveying instruments and satellite-based equipment.
04 Rework older surveys so property lines, roads, utilities, and other mapped features line up with current ground conditions and grid systems.
05 Take field measurements for land boundaries, contours, volumes, and other site features needed for construction or engineering work.
06 Prepare and share survey data and maps with engineers, government agencies, clients, or the public.
Industries That Hire
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Construction & Heavy Civil
Kiewit, Bechtel, Fluor
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Government & Public Works
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Caltrans, Bureau of Land Management
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Utilities & Energy
Duke Energy, ExxonMobil, Enbridge
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Mapping, GIS & Surveying Technology
Trimble, Leica Geosystems, Topcon
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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Pay is solid for a job that typically starts with a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $72,740 and mean pay of $76,730.
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The work is concrete and visible: you can see the road, building, boundary, or utility project that depends on your measurements.
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Demand is steady rather than speculative, with about 3.9 thousand annual openings projected and many of them tied to replacement hiring.
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The job uses a mix of outdoor problem-solving and office analysis, which some people prefer over sitting all day.
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Strong math and tech skills are rewarded, especially when you can combine field tools, GIS, and careful documentation.
Challenges
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Growth is modest at 4.4% over the 2024-2034 period, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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The role usually requires a bachelor's degree and internship-style training, which raises the barrier to entry before you start earning full pay.
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A lot of the work happens outdoors in heat, cold, rain, rough terrain, or busy construction zones, so the conditions can be physically demanding.
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Some routine measuring and data handling is being streamlined by GNSS, GIS, and survey software, which can limit how much simple field work a newcomer gets to do.
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Career advancement can depend on licensure and moving into project oversight, so there is a real ceiling if you want to stay in a purely field-based role.
Career Progression
Survey Technician
0-2 years
$38K-$50K
Supports field crews, sets up equipment, and helps collect measurements under close supervision.
Survey Party Chief
2-5 years
$50K-$67K
Runs a field crew, checks measurements, and keeps a project moving while handling day-to-day field decisions.
Surveyor THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$68K-$84K
Handles boundary work, site measurements, and survey calculations, often balancing fieldwork with office review.
Senior Surveyor
9-14 years
$84K-$101K
Takes on more complex projects, reviews other people's work, and resolves tricky property or construction issues.
Professional Land Surveyor / Survey Manager
14+ years
$101K-$125K
Leads projects or teams, signs off on survey documents where licensed, and manages client, legal, and technical risk.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering, or a related field
This is the most common entry point, held by 64.42% of workers in the occupation.
Associate degree in surveying or a related technical field
A smaller path, used by 7.12% of workers, often paired with field experience and later licensure.
Some college courses plus an internship or supervised field training
About 12.38% of workers came in with some college coursework, and the job still typically expects an internship/residency-style training period.
Post-secondary certificate with hands-on surveying experience
This is a less common route, held by 2.63% of workers, and it usually works best when combined with strong field training and state licensure requirements.
Key Skills
Technical
Mathematics & Survey Calculations 100%
Reading Comprehension & Plan Review 81%
Critical Thinking & Survey Quality Control 60%
AutoCAD Civil 3D & Survey Drafting 55%
Trimble GNSS, Leica Total Stations & Data Collectors 50%
ArcGIS Pro & Survey Data Management 45%
Soft Skills
Active listeningWriting clearlySpeaking with clients and crewsJudgment and decision-makingProblem solvingAttention to detail Job Outlook and Trends
+4.4%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
3.9K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 56.1K to 58.6 K over the next decade, representing 4.4% growth. Around 3.9 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.