# Surveying and Mapping Technicians

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surveying-and-mapping-technicians
- SOC code: 17-3031.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $54,240 (10th percentile $37,520, 90th percentile $81,630)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.8%
- Openings a year: 6,900
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 82 |
| Investigative (I) | 51 |
| Artistic (A) | 15 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 77 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 84/100)
- Getting Information (importance 83/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 75/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 74/100)
- Processing Information (importance 74/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 73/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 73/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 71/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 65/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 65/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Mathematics, Active Listening, Monitoring, Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking, Active Learning

## Knowledge

Geography, Mathematics, English Language, Computers and Electronics, Customer and Personal Service, Design, Education and Training, Engineering and Technology, Administration and Management, Public Safety and Security

## Also called

Compass Operator, Field Map Technician (Field Map Tech), Field Survey Technician (Field Survey Tech), Field Surveyor, Geodetic Computator, GIS Mapping Technician (Geographic Information Systems Mapping Technician), Instrument Man (I-Man), Instrument Operator, Instrument Person, Instrument Rodman

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Geography and Cartography](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4507) (CIP 4507, 539 colleges)
- [Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1511) (CIP 1511, 121 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-florida-2910) | Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | $66,474 | $78,933 | not reported |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Geography and Cartography | $42,120 | $78,390 | $21,375 |
| [University of Connecticut UCONN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-connecticut-uconn-2902) | Geography and Cartography | not reported | $76,851 | $21,312 |
| [California State University-Sacramento](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-sacramento-375) | Geography and Cartography | $47,029 | $75,234 | not reported |
| [University of Nevada-Reno Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-nevada-reno-main-campus-2977) | Geography and Cartography | not reported | $74,864 | not reported |
| [George Mason University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-mason-university-1065) | Geography and Cartography | not reported | $74,692 | not reported |
| [Syracuse University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/syracuse-university-2667) | Geography and Cartography | not reported | $71,543 | $21,500 |
| [Binghamton University SUNY](https://www.collegesref.com/college/binghamton-university-suny-249) | Geography and Cartography | $40,492 | $71,207 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Cartographers and Photogrammetrists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cartographers-and-photogrammetrists): $81,390 median pay
- [Geodetic Surveyors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geodetic-surveyors): $75,440 median pay
- [Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians): $116,580 median pay
- [Surveyors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surveyors): $75,440 median pay
- [Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geological-technicians-except-hydrologic-technicians): $53,350 median pay
- [Architectural and Civil Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-civil-drafters): $66,150 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.