Occupation · SOC 17-1022
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.
Median wage
$72,740
$43,680–$116,330
Projected growth
+4.5%
Average growth
Annual openings
250
per year
Employed (US)
53,080
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
81 mapped
Core skills
MathematicsReading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingSpeakingCoordinationActive ListeningJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
MathematicsEngineering and TechnologyGeographyComputers and ElectronicsDesign
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareMap creation softwareGeographic information systemAnalytical or scientific software
Representative tasks
Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.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.Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments.Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS).Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation.Testify as an expert witness in court cases on land survey issues, such as property boundaries.Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy.Develop criteria for survey methods and procedures.Survey bodies of water to determine navigable channels and to secure data for construction of breakwaters, piers, and other marine structures.Direct aerial surveys of specified geographical areas.Conduct research in surveying and mapping methods, using knowledge of photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing.Locate and mark sites selected for geophysical prospecting activities, such as efforts to locate petroleum or other mineral products.Determine specifications for equipment to be used for aerial photography, as well as altitudes from which to photograph terrain.Develop criteria for the design and modification of survey instruments.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Legal deeds and title documents — review and interpret under direct supervision to support boundary survey preparation on residential property assignments.Survey field measurements — record and verify using standard instruments under the guidance of a licensed surveyor on assigned job sites.Sketches and field notes — draft basic representations of survey data following established protocols and templates provided by senior staff.Legal records and survey archives — search and retrieve property boundary information under supervisor direction to support upcoming survey projects.Survey calculations and measurements — check for arithmetic accuracy using spreadsheet or analytical software tools with oversight from a project surveyor.Land features including elevation, contour, and dimensions — document observed characteristics in standardized field logs during supervised site visits.CAD software and map creation tools — operate at a foundational level to input and display basic survey data under direct technical guidance.Geographic information system (GIS) platforms — navigate and query existing datasets to extract preliminary boundary and topographic information as assigned.Mathematical principles including geometry and trigonometry — apply to routine surveying computations with review and correction by senior surveyors.Written survey reports and data tables — compile from collected field data following structured formats defined by project supervisors.
developing
Property boundary surveys — conduct independently for standard residential and commercial parcels, referencing legal deeds and prior survey records with minimal oversight.Legal descriptions of boundary surveys — compose in clear, precise language suitable for inclusion in deeds, leases, and related legal documents for routine projects.Survey data accuracy — verify through systematic cross-checking of field measurements and computed values, identifying and resolving common discrepancies on active projects.Maps, plots, and survey records — prepare and organize using CAD and map creation software to meet project specifications and regulatory submission standards.Land title records and historical survey files — research independently across multiple jurisdictions to resolve boundary ambiguities on moderately complex property cases.Geodetic computations including coordinate transformations and traverse adjustments — perform using analytical software to determine accurate positions of geomorphic features.Topographic and geomorphic data — interpret and record in project documentation, including shape, location, elevation, and dimensional attributes of land features.Project timelines and field crew scheduling — coordinate across concurrent survey assignments to meet client deadlines and regulatory filing requirements.Junior survey technicians — guide on proper instrument use, field recording procedures, and safety protocols during site data collection activities.Client and stakeholder communications — deliver clear verbal explanations of survey scope, findings, and boundary determinations during project progress discussions.
proficient
Complex property boundary surveys — direct and personally execute across residential, commercial, and public-land contexts, assuming full professional liability for work certified.Legal descriptions and survey reports — author with precision and legal sufficiency for use in contested boundary disputes, title insurance, and government regulatory filings.Survey data integrity — autonomously audit measurement records, computational outputs, and georeferenced datasets to detect and correct systematic and random errors before final delivery.Comprehensive survey packages including charts, maps, plots, and legal documents — supervise full preparation and ensure compliance with state licensing standards and client requirements.Non-routine boundary conflicts arising from ambiguous deed language or competing survey records — analyze using advanced legal research, historical evidence, and professional judgment to render defensible determinations.Geodetic and photogrammetric survey data — integrate and interpret across multiple collection methods to produce accurate topographic models and elevation products for engineering and land-use applications.GIS, analytical software, and data conversion tools — employ at an advanced level to build, manage, and quality-control spatial datasets that support multi-phase development or infrastructure projects.Regulatory submissions and licensing documentation — prepare and certify for state surveying boards, municipal authorities, and federal land agencies on behalf of the firm.Field and office workflows — design and implement efficient procedures that reduce rework, improve measurement accuracy, and align with best practices in geodetic and boundary surveying.Emerging survey technologies including UAV photogrammetry and terrestrial LiDAR — evaluate, pilot, and integrate into standard practice to expand the firm's technical service capabilities.
advanced
Organizational surveying standards and quality assurance frameworks — establish and enforce across all project teams, setting the benchmark for professional accuracy and legal defensibility firm-wide.Strategic direction for survey operations — define long-range service lines, technology investments, and market positioning to align the firm with evolving client and regulatory demands.Complex, high-stakes boundary adjudications involving disputed titles or public-land patents — lead as the principal authority, representing the firm before legal tribunals, title companies, and government bodies.Licensure and professional development pathways — design and mentor for junior surveyors and technicians, shaping structured learning programs that build competency from emerging to proficient levels.Cross-disciplinary project leadership — coordinate survey deliverables with civil engineers, urban planners, environmental scientists, and legal counsel on large-scale infrastructure and land development initiatives.Survey research and professional best practices — contribute to state licensing board deliberations, industry standards bodies, and peer-reviewed technical publications to advance the profession.Enterprise technology architecture for survey data management — oversee selection, implementation, and governance of GIS, CAD, project management, and document management platforms across the organization.Client and stakeholder relationships at the executive level — cultivate long-term partnerships with government agencies, real estate developers, and legal firms that secure the firm's project pipeline.Risk and liability management for certified survey work — establish organizational policies that govern professional seal usage, error-and-omission exposure, and claims response procedures.Organizational performance metrics for survey accuracy, project delivery, and staff utilization — monitor, interpret, and act upon firm-wide data to drive continuous improvement and competitive differentiation.
Also known as
62 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Photogrammetric EngineerEngineering Helper (Air Force 3E511)Engineering Aide (Navy 001160)Staff Land SurveyorProfessional Land SurveyorSolar Site SurveyorSpecial Reconnaissance Craftsman (Air Force 1Z471)Field Artillery Operations Man (Marine Corps 0848)Director, Photogrammetry Flight OperationsConstruction Engineering Technician (Army 120A)Field InspectorSurveyor, MarineProject SurveyorAdvanced Engineering Aide (Navy B01A)Construction SurveyorRailroad SurveyorRegistered Public SurveyorLicensed Land SurveyorLand ExaminerSurveyor, Geophysical ProspectingSpecial Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force 1Z431)Special Reconnaissance Superintendent (Air Force 1Z491)Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (Army 18C)Registered Land SurveyorEngineer Assistant (Marine Corps 1361)Surveyor, MineGeodesistInsurance Loss Control SurveyorFire Support Specialist (Army 13F)Land MeasurerGeophysical Prospecting SurveyorLoss Control SurveyorPATRIOT Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintainer (Army 14E)Survey EngineerTopographical SurveyorCity SurveyorLicensed SurveyorEngineering Journeyman (Air Force 3E551)Mineral SurveyorHome Surveyor