Post job

Surveyor instrument assistant vs licensed land surveyor

The differences between surveyor instrument assistants and licensed 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 surveyor instrument assistant and a licensed land surveyor. Additionally, a licensed land surveyor has an average salary of $49,947, which is higher than the $43,952 average annual salary of a surveyor instrument assistant.

The top three skills for a surveyor instrument assistant include GPS, survey data and construction sites. The most important skills for a licensed land surveyor are GPS, complaint investigations, and technical assistance.

Surveyor instrument assistant vs licensed land surveyor overview

Surveyor Instrument AssistantLicensed Land Surveyor
Yearly salary$43,952$49,947
Hourly rate$21.13$24.01
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs5,72412,580
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Surveyor instrument assistant vs licensed land surveyor salary

Surveyor instrument assistants and licensed land surveyors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Surveyor Instrument AssistantLicensed Land Surveyor
Average salary$43,952$49,947
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $64,000Between $33,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between surveyor instrument assistant and licensed land surveyor education

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

Surveyor Instrument AssistantLicensed Land Surveyor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringNursing
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyDuke University

Surveyor instrument assistant vs licensed land surveyor demographics

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

Surveyor Instrument AssistantLicensed Land Surveyor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 83.8% Female, 16.2%Male, 67.4% Female, 32.6%
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, 3.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 4.8% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between surveyor instrument assistant and licensed land surveyor duties and responsibilities

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

Licensed land 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.
  • Discipline of work include boundaries, topographical surveys, construction staking, mortgage surveys, and ALTA/ACSM surveys.
  • Provide complete boundary surveying services and prepare minor subdivisions.

Surveyor instrument assistant vs licensed land surveyor skills

Common surveyor instrument assistant skills
  • GPS, 20%
  • Survey Data, 16%
  • Construction Sites, 15%
  • Boundary Surveys, 5%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • Survey Equipment, 4%
Common licensed land surveyor skills
  • GPS, 25%
  • Complaint Investigations, 9%
  • Technical Assistance, 8%
  • Governmental Agencies, 8%
  • Health Care Facilities, 5%
  • Federal Regulations, 4%

Browse architecture and engineering jobs