Explore This Path

Surveyor

💰 Earn $77K-$134K

📚 Bachelor Degree

⏱️ 24–48 Month Training

📈 4.4% Job Growth

Ideal for those who love precision and working outdoors in diverse environments.
Shape the world by defining property boundaries and aiding in construction projects.
Use advanced technology to map and measure the Earth's surface accurately.

What Surveyors DoMake 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.

Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.

Surveyors Education, Salary, and Growth

Minimum EducationBachelor Degree

Career ProspectsGood (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time2 to 4 years

Job Openings3,900 Annually

Median Earnings

$103,790 in California

$72,740 Nationally

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Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.

Real Talk Reel

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Is This Career Right For You?

YOU Like

Thinking and problem solving
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

you value

Having freedom
Job security
Personal relationships

you are skilled in

Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Judgment and Decision Making
Mathematics

Go Deeper: Surveyors Explained

SurveyorExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years

Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years

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