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City surveyor vs land surveyor

The differences between city surveyors and land surveyors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a city surveyor and a land surveyor. Additionally, a city surveyor has an average salary of $66,442, which is higher than the $46,182 average annual salary of a land surveyor.

The top three skills for a city surveyor include legal descriptions, capital improvement projects and GPS. The most important skills for a land surveyor are GPS, data collection, and topographic surveys.

City surveyor vs land surveyor overview

City SurveyorLand Surveyor
Yearly salary$66,442$46,182
Hourly rate$31.94$22.20
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs7,5194,717
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

City surveyor vs land surveyor salary

City surveyors and land surveyors have different pay scales, as shown below.

City SurveyorLand Surveyor
Average salary$66,442$46,182
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $102,000Between $31,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City-Walnut Creek, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Adobe
Best paying industry--

Differences between city surveyor and land surveyor education

There are a few differences between a city surveyor and a land surveyor in terms of educational background:

City SurveyorLand Surveyor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorSurveying, Mapping, And Hydraulic TechnologiesCivil Engineering
Most common collegeCornell UniversityPennsylvania State University

City surveyor vs land surveyor demographics

Here are the differences between city surveyors' and land surveyors' demographics:

City SurveyorLand Surveyor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 84.2% Female, 15.8%Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 4.2% White, 78.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between city surveyor and land surveyor duties and responsibilities

City surveyor example responsibilities.

  • Collect, processes, analyzes and manages field data using GIS and spatial technologies.
  • Complete field work by inspecting dams, setting grade stakes, and updating property records using a Trimble R8 GNSS system.
  • Perform excellent outside sales serving thousands of Medicare and Medicaid members in multiple states promoting free delivery of prescription medications.

Land surveyor example responsibilities.

  • Utilize GPS technology to manage a two man robotic crew assign to residential/ commercial development projects.
  • Operate survey robotic instruments (Leica TPS1200), data collectors (Carlson, TDS).
  • Hire and train tribal members in using GPS and conventional survey equipment to assist perform field surveys of vary complexity.
  • Finalize plans through AutoCAD and Carlson software.
  • Used a Leica total station with TDS software.
  • Stake commodities and existing underground using Trimble GNSS equipment.
  • Show more

City surveyor vs land surveyor skills

Common city surveyor skills
  • Legal Descriptions, 35%
  • Capital Improvement Projects, 28%
  • GPS, 20%
  • Construction Surveys, 12%
  • Engineering Projects, 6%
Common land surveyor skills
  • GPS, 21%
  • Data Collection, 8%
  • Topographic Surveys, 8%
  • Survey Data, 8%
  • Boundary Surveys, 6%
  • Civil 3D, 6%

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