How to Become a Surveyor
Measure and map land with precision instruments to establish the boundaries construction, mapping, and property law depend on. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $75,440 per year and about average projected job growth.
Median pay
$75,440/yr
Job growth
3%
Openings / yr
3,900
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Land Surveying
- GPS/GIS Tools
- Mathematics
- Attention to Detail
- Technical Writing
Helpful certifications
- FS/PS (Professional Surveyor licensure)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
null/100
Work-life balance
null/100
Stress level
null/100
Satisfaction
null/100
Related careers
- Computer Hardware Engineer$161,740 median
- Petroleum Engineer$144,910 median
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960 median
- Nuclear Engineer$133,970 median
- Chemical Engineer$125,040 median
- Electrical Engineer$120,630 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Surveyor make?
The median pay for a Surveyor is $75,440 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Surveyor?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Surveying and Geomatics, Civil Engineering, and Geography.
Is Surveyor a growing field?
The BLS projects about average demand for this role, about 3% over the decade, with roughly 3,900 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Surveyor use most?
Common skills for this role are Land Surveying, GPS/GIS Tools, Mathematics, Attention to Detail, and Technical Writing.
Planning to become a Surveyor?
Save this career to your PlanexAI path and track the majors, courses, and milestones that lead to it.
Not sure this is right for you?
Take our free 2-minute quiz to match your interests to majors and careers.
Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.