How to hire a mapping technician

How to hire a mapping technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step mapping technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a mapping technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new mapping technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a mapping technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the mapping technician you need to hire. Certain mapping technician roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A mapping technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, mapping technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents mapping technician salaries for various positions.

   Type of Mapping Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Mapping Technician	Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth’s surface. Surveying technicians visit sites to take measurements of the land... Show more	$11-30
   GIS Technician	A GIS Technician is responsible for making maps and customizing geographic information systems applications. They also provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of geographic information systems databases.	$18-41
   Engineering Technician	An Engineering Technician's duties vary according to the industry or company, whether mechanical, industrial, civil, agricultural, or more. However, most of the time, the responsibilities often revolve around resolving technical issues, working with and assisting Engineers in building, assembling, designing, gathering and testing data, and conducting more manual activities... Show more	$17-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • GIS
   • Data Collection
   • Spatial Data
   • GPS
   • Computer Programs
   • Survey Data
   • SQL
   • As-Built Drawings
   • Esri
   • Aided Design
   • Legal Descriptions
   • LiDAR
   • Civil 3D
   • Digitizing

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage a team of 35 AutoCAD drafters and engineering technicians.
   • Generate GIS database updates manually and manage automated unix-base system to apply records to client database.
   • Utilize geographic mapping systems: GIS, GATRES, INTERNETIX, GEOCAT, USGS
   • Supervise the construction of projects design by BMI.
   • Collect imagery from mobile Lidar vehicle and produce high-quality 3D maps.
   • Gain proficiency with ESRI ArcGIS software including ArcMap, ArcGlobe, and ArcCatalog

   More mapping technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your mapping technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A mapping technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, mapping technicians' average salary in minnesota is 70% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level mapping technicians earn 63% less than senior-level mapping technicians.
   • Certifications. A mapping technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a mapping technician's salary.

   Average mapping technician salary

   $39,106yearly

   $18.80 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level mapping technician salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average mapping technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$72,764	$35
   2	Nevada	$47,644	$23
   3	Maryland	$37,853	$18
   4	Texas	$37,764	$18
   5	Florida	$36,676	$18
   6	Georgia	$34,373	$17
   7	Massachusetts	$33,255	$16
   8	Washington	$32,692	$16

   Average mapping technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	NV Energy	$78,834	$37.90
   2	Lakeland Electric	$62,709	$30.15
   3	Cognizant	$61,809	$29.72
   4	Bowman Consulting Group	$56,221	$27.03	5
   5	NPL Construction Co.	$45,370	$21.81
   6	PEAK Technical Staffing USA	$39,131	$18.81
   7	Mspark	$38,991	$18.75
   8	MAPC	$33,779	$16.24

4. Writing a mapping technician job description

   A job description for a mapping technician role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a mapping technician job description:

   Mapping technician job description example

   
   **Surveyor and Mapping Technician**
   
   **Who We Are**
   
   At WSP, we are driven by inspiring future-ready pioneers to innovate. We're looking to grow our teams with people who are ready to collaborate in building communities and expanding our skylines. To do this, we hire candidates of all experiences, skillsets, backgrounds and walks of life. We actively foster a work environment and culture where inclusion and diversity is part of our fundamental structure. This is delivered behaviorally, through our policies, trainings, local partnerships with professional diverse organizations, internal networks and most importantly with the support and sponsorship of our leaders who help drive our commitment to an inclusive, diverse, welcoming and equitable work environment. Anything is within our reach and yours as a WSP employee. Come join us and help shape the future!
   
   **Our Business**
   
   We are a global leader in environmental consulting - made stronger with the recent acquisition of Wood's Environment & Infrastructure business and Golder - with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences. Combined we have over 20,000 multidisciplinary professionals worldwide collaborating daily to protect and conserve natural landscapes, create firm foundations for communities to stand on, and champion sustainable development to combat climate change. As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and endless opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.
   
   **This Opportunity**
   
   WSP is currently seeking an enthusiastic and energetic Surveying and Mapping Technician to assist professional staff in the planning, execution and delivery of surveying and mapping projects and related deliverable products.
   
   **Your Impact**
   
   + Must be able to multi-task relating to projects and deliverable products
   
   + Maintain flexible schedule to prioritize and meet deadlines
   
   + Evaluate, process, and map traditional field notes, electronic data collection, and GPS/GNSS files
   
   + Provide technical mapping support in production of deliverable surveying and mapping products
   
   + Prepare CAD deliverables to client specific standards
   
   + Perform survey computations and adjustments
   
   + Interpret and map legal descriptions
   
   + Prepare legal descriptions and sketches
   
   + Records research
   
   + Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies
   
   **Who You Are**
   
   **Required Qualifications**
   
   + High School Diploma or equivalent
   
   + 2 years of experience working in the surveying and mapping profession
   
   + Demonstrated proficiency with computer systems and basic office software
   
   + Demonstrated proficiency and working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or MicroStation/GEOPAK, and GIS
   
   + Good communication skills
   
   + Good time management skills
   
   + Quality control oriented with attention to detail
   
   + Knowledge of and experience in field survey procedures
   
   + Knowledge of and experience in survey computations and adjustments
   
   + Knowledge of boundary survey principles
   
   + Ability and wiliness to occasionally work in the field
   
   + NSPS Certified Survey Technician (CST) certification or ability to procure in 6 months
   
   + Drug screening, driver's license and criminal background check
   
   \#LI-RR1
   
   **Additional Requirements**
   
   + To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
   
   **Additional Details**
   
   + **Travel Required:** 50%
   
   + **Job Status:** Regular
   
   + **Employee Type:** Full
   
   + **Primary Location:** ORLANDO - CANAL RD
   
   + **All locations:** US-FL-Orlando
   
   **About WSP**
   
   WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 12,000 employees in over 200 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. www.wsp.com
   
   WSP provides a flexible, agile and hybrid workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.
   
   At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
   
   WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
   
   The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right mapping technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your mapping technician job on Zippia to find and recruit mapping technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit mapping technicians, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new mapping technician

   Once you've selected the best mapping technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new mapping technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a mapping technician?