Hiring guide · Science, Engineering & Lab
How to Hire a Surveyor
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring surveyors, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $75,440), recruit through community college and university engineering technology and science programs, verify Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for surveyors
There are about 52,000 surveyors employed in the U.S., with roughly 3,100 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +5.8% from 2025–35 (faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $46,880–$58,170 | $22.54–$27.97 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $98,130 | $47.18 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $125,590 | $60.38 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Boundary law
- Attention to detail
Nice-to-haves
- Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
- Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam
- Surveyor in Training (SIT)
- Experience with GNSS receivers
Where to find surveyors
- Community college and university engineering technology and science programs
- Co-op and internship programs
- Professional societies such as ASCE, ASME and IEEE
- Military technical veterans
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Land Surveyor, Professional Land Surveyor, Geodetic Surveyor, Boundary Surveyor
Screening checklist
- Degree, transcript or credential verification (PE, FE, ASCP) where required
- A practical exercise, lab test or CAD drawing review
- Background checks for regulated or secure facilities
- Reference checks focused on accuracy and documentation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “What equipment have you used?”
What a strong answer includes: List.
2. “How do you resolve boundary conflicts?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain evidence.
3. “Are you licensed or an SIT?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
4. “How do you check accuracy?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain closure.
5. “Why surveying?”
What a strong answer includes: Share interest.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Search for a Property Corner (see the steps)
- Run a Closed Traverse (see the steps)
- Write a Legal Description (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Boundary survey, Plat, Legal description
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Surveyor 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Surveyor training. Show them the path forward: Survey Technician → Party Chief → Licensed Surveyor → Firm Owner or Principal.
Hiring surveyors: FAQ
How much should I pay a surveyor?
The U.S. median wage for surveyors is $75,440 per year ($36.27/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($58,170), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($98,130). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a surveyor have?
BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) and Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam where relevant, plus skills such as boundary law, gps and total stations, and cad.
How long does it take to train a new surveyor?
Becoming qualified typically takes 4 years + experience. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “internship/residency.”