How much does a surveyor make?
a year · about $36 an hour
A typical surveyor in the United States makes $75,440 a year, about $36 an hour, about 1.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check old property records, then use GPS or a robotic tool outdoors to measure distances and mark points. At a computer, they check the data and make maps or reports showing property lines or building sites.
Did you know? The U.S. has more than 1.5 million survey points that help make sure maps from different government agencies line up.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $46,880 and $125,590How do you become one?
U.S. surveyors usually earn a bachelor's degree in surveying or a related field, then train under a licensed surveyor for several years. They typically pass the FS, PS, and a state exam; requirements vary by state.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, surveyors with more experience, a license, or in-demand skills may earn more. Pay also differs by employer and industry, location, and how complex or specialized the work is.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($105,330), lowest in Arkansas ($51,800).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a surveyor averages $36,203. Surveyor salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46,880 | $75,440 | $125,590 | about 51,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $105,330 | about 5,000 |
| Oregon | $97,070 | about 530 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $85,610 | about 780 |
| Minnesota | $83,620 | about 980 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/print/surveyors.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- ncees.org/surveying/surveying-licensure
- oceanservice.noaa.gov/geodesy/gps
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY