SOC 17-1022.00Bright outlook

    Surveyors

    Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries.

    Median pay
    $75,440
    Growth
    +5.8%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    3,100
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $46,880
    Median
    $75,440
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $125,590
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    50,830 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Surveyors make precise measurements to establish property boundaries and map land features. In this field, professionals earn a median annual pay of $75,440, with opportunities expected to grow faster than average over the coming decade.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What surveyors do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    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.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    Surveyors spend their time gathering, documenting, and processing geographical information. They calculate exact dimensions, elevations, and locations of land features to support construction, mapmaking, and mining projects. This role requires analyzing data to solve complex problems and making decisions that comply with legal and engineering standards. Day-to-day tasks involve working with computers, scheduling activities, and communicating findings to supervisors and team members.

    To succeed in this field, individuals need strong skills in mathematics, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. They must be active listeners and clear communicators. Key knowledge areas include geography, engineering, design, and computers, along with an understanding of building construction and government laws. This career strongly appeals to those with conventional interests who value order and detail. Important work styles include attention to detail, dependability, cautiousness, and integrity, as surveyors must produce highly accurate records under varying conditions.

    How to get there

    Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree, which represents a considerable level of preparation. Many aspiring surveyors choose to major in surveying engineering or engineering-related technologies. In addition to formal education, most professionals need several years of practical, related work experience to fully prepare for the role.

    Graduates can pursue professional credentials to demonstrate their expertise. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying offers the Fundamentals of Surveying certification. Additionally, some states list specific licensing requirements for individuals performing this work, so candidates should check the regulations in their local area.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for surveyors is $75,440. Earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10 percent of workers earning less than $46,880 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $125,590.

    With 50,830 people currently employed in this occupation, the field is growing. Employment is projected to increase by 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth, combined with retirement and career transitions, is expected to result in approximately 3,100 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    71 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    62 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    19 / 100
    Social (S)
    10 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    15 / 100
    Conventional (C) · strongest
    72 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code CRI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Documenting/Recording Information
    89
    Working with Computers
    88
    Analyzing Data or Information
    85
    Getting Information
    84
    Processing Information
    83
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    80
    Scheduling Work and Activities
    79
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    78
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    76
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    75
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Mathematics
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Critical Thinking
    • Writing
    • Speaking
    • Active Listening
    • Coordination
    • Active Learning
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Complex Problem Solving

    Knowledge

    • Mathematics
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Geography
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Design
    • Building and Construction
    • Administration and Management
    • English Language
    • Law and Government

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Written Comprehension
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Near Vision
    • Written Expression
    • Number Facility
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Far Vision

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Perseverance
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Self-Confidence
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Leadership Orientation
    • Stress Tolerance

    Also called

    City Surveyor · Construction Surveyor · County Surveyor · Field Inspector · Field Surveyor · Geophysical Prospecting Surveyor · Health Facilities Surveyor · Home Surveyor · Insurance Loss Control Surveyor · Land Examiner

    Career pathway

    From your interests to surveyors

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Surveyors$75,440 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1University of Florida logo
      University of Florida

      Gainesville, FL · Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $66,474
      4 yrs after
      $78,933
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What surveyors may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Surveying Engineering
    • Surveying Technology/Surveying

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    52 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about surveyors

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for surveyors?

    People in this profession are also known by titles such as land examiner, field inspector, construction surveyor, and county surveyor. Other titles include city surveyor, home surveyor, and geophysical prospecting surveyor.

    What college majors are most relevant to this career?

    Students interested in this field typically major in surveying engineering or engineering-related technologies. These programs provide the necessary foundation in mathematics, geography, and design.

    Is a license required to work as a surveyor?

    While a license is not universally required by all employers, some states do list specific licensing requirements for this profession. Candidates can also earn the Fundamentals of Surveying certification to show their competence.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.