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Land surveyor vs surveyor instrument assistant

The differences between land surveyors and surveyor instrument assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a land surveyor and a surveyor instrument assistant. Additionally, a land surveyor has an average salary of $46,182, which is higher than the $43,952 average annual salary of a surveyor instrument assistant.

The top three skills for a land surveyor include GPS, data collection and topographic surveys. The most important skills for a surveyor instrument assistant are GPS, survey data, and construction sites.

Land surveyor vs surveyor instrument assistant overview

Land SurveyorSurveyor Instrument Assistant
Yearly salary$46,182$43,952
Hourly rate$22.20$21.13
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs4,7175,724
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Land surveyor vs surveyor instrument assistant salary

Land surveyors and surveyor instrument assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Land SurveyorSurveyor Instrument Assistant
Average salary$46,182$43,952
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $66,000Between $30,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CityWalnut Creek, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyAdobe-
Best paying industry--

Differences between land surveyor and surveyor instrument assistant education

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

Land SurveyorSurveyor Instrument Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringCivil Engineering
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Land surveyor vs surveyor instrument assistant demographics

Here are the differences between land surveyors' and surveyor instrument assistants' demographics:

Land SurveyorSurveyor Instrument Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 93.9% Female, 6.1%Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 land surveyor and surveyor instrument assistant duties and responsibilities

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

Surveyor instrument assistant example responsibilities.

  • Set up tripods with GPS equipment clear brush areas to obtain accurate line of site data, stake targets.
  • Assist lead surveyor with surveying instruments theodolites.
  • Use of trimble M3 total station and Topcon level.
  • Prepare drawings using rough sketches, GIS and engineering data.
  • Work with and become skilled with various forms of GIS mapping systems.
  • Perform various traverse, property survey, ALTA, construction staking and mapping duties.
  • Show more

Land surveyor vs surveyor instrument assistant skills

Common land surveyor skills
  • GPS, 21%
  • Data Collection, 8%
  • Topographic Surveys, 8%
  • Survey Data, 8%
  • Boundary Surveys, 6%
  • Civil 3D, 6%
Common surveyor instrument assistant skills
  • GPS, 20%
  • Survey Data, 16%
  • Construction Sites, 15%
  • Boundary Surveys, 5%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • Survey Equipment, 4%

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