Surveyor
Measure land and set official property boundaries.
- $75,440
- 4 years + experience
Science, Engineering & Lab career
Surveying Technician
Also called: Survey Crew Member · Instrument Operator · Rodman · Mapping Technician
What surveying technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a surveying technician do?
Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps, assisting surveyors in the field and processing data in the office. The median pay is $54,240 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–12 months, and employment is projected to grow +5.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$54,240$26.08/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.8%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year6,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–12 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs58,800Employment, 2025
What surveying technicians do
Surveying technicians are the backbone of survey crews. They set up and operate GPS units and total stations, hold rods and prisms, clear sight lines, set stakes for construction, take notes, and process field data and draft maps in CAD and GIS. Mapping technicians build maps from aerial, drone and GIS data.
Most have a high school diploma and learn on the job, though certificates help. Experience can lead to party chief and, with education and exams, to licensed surveyor.
Typical duties
- Operate GPS and total stations
- Hold rods and prisms
- Set construction stakes
- Clear brush for sight lines
- Record field notes
- Process data in CAD
- Draft maps
Work environment and schedule
Technicians work outdoors in all terrain and weather, plus office time.
Schedule: Most work full-time with long days in good weather.
A day in the life
- Load equipment into the truck.
- Set up a base station at the site.
- Stake curb lines for a new road.
- Hold the prism for topo shots.
See a full day in the life of a surveying technician →
Surveying Technician salary
Half of surveying technicians earned more than $54,240 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,520 for the lowest 10% to $81,630 for the top 10%.
Full surveying technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a surveying technician
- Take math and drafting
- Get hired on a crew
- Learn instruments
- Earn the CST
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical, plus on-the-job training. Certificates in surveying help.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a surveying technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Total stations
- GPS
- Field notes
- Construction staking
- CAD
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Stamina
- Reliability
All surveying technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Outdoors with technology
- Learn on the job
- Path to licensed surveyor
- Variety
Cons
- Weather and terrain
- Physical work
- Traffic hazards
- Seasonal slowdowns
Certifications and licenses
- NSPS Certified Survey Technician (CST): Survey technician credential.
- FAA Part 107: Drone pilot certificate.
- GIS certificate: Mapping skills.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
Career path
- Rod Person: Support crews.
- Instrument Operator: Run equipment.
- Party Chief: Lead crews.
- Licensed Surveyor: With education and exams.
Learn the job before day one
Our Surveying Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as hold a prism pole and set a grade stake, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
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Civil Engineering Technician
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Compare: Surveying Technician vs. Surveyor · Surveying Technician vs. CAD Drafter · Surveying Technician vs. Civil Engineering Tech · Surveying Technician vs. Construction Laborer
Surveying Technician FAQ
Do survey techs need a degree?
No; most learn on the job.
Can techs become surveyors?
Yes, with education, experience and exams.
Is the work outdoors?
Mostly, with some office time.
How much does a surveying technician make?
The median annual wage for surveying technicians was $54,240 ($26.08 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,520 and the highest 10% earned more than $81,630.
How long does it take to become a surveying technician?
Most people need about 1–12 months of training. A high school diploma is typical, plus on-the-job training. Certificates in surveying help.
Do you need a degree to be a surveying technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More surveying technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 17-3031 (Surveying and mapping technicians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Surveying and mapping technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.