# Surveyors

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surveyors
- SOC code: 17-1022.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $75,440 (10th percentile $46,880, 90th percentile $125,590)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.8%
- Openings a year: 3,100
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CRI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 71 |
| Investigative (I) | 62 |
| Artistic (A) | 19 |
| Social (S) | 10 |
| Enterprising (E) | 15 |
| Conventional (C) | 72 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 89/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 88/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 85/100)
- Getting Information (importance 84/100)
- Processing Information (importance 83/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 80/100)
- Scheduling Work and Activities (importance 79/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 78/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 76/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)

## 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

## 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

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

- [Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1511) (CIP 1511, 121 colleges)
- Surveying Engineering (CIP 1438, 25 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 |

## Related careers

- [Geodetic Surveyors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geodetic-surveyors): $75,440 median pay
- [Surveying and Mapping Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surveying-and-mapping-technicians): $54,240 median pay
- [Civil Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/civil-engineers): $100,840 median pay
- [Cartographers and Photogrammetrists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cartographers-and-photogrammetrists): $81,390 median pay
- [Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/civil-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $64,950 median pay
- [Construction and Building Inspectors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/construction-and-building-inspectors): $74,690 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.