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Surveyor salary
Average surveyor salary
$46,875
The average salary for a surveyor in the United States stands at $46,875 annually, translating to approximately $23 per hour. This figure, however, varies significantly based on location, years of experience, and specific roles within the field. For instance, states like California and Texas often offer higher compensation due to increased demand for surveying services.
Surveyors can enhance their earning potential by specializing in areas such as land surveying, environmental surveying, or geospatial technology. Additionally, obtaining certifications and advanced degrees can lead to higher-paying positions. According to recent data, surveyors in metropolitan areas tend to earn more compared to those in rural regions, reflecting the local job market's dynamics.
As you navigate your career in surveying, it's essential to stay informed about salary trends. Resources available on platforms like Zippia can provide valuable insights into the salary landscape. By understanding the factors that influence pay, including education, experience, and geographic location, you can make informed career decisions that align with your goals.
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Where can a Surveyor earn more?
Surveyor salary estimates from across the web
Average surveyor salary by state
The average surveyor salary in California, New Jersey, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average surveyor salary states are Alabama, Nebraska, and Indiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for surveyors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $69,402 | $33.37 |
| 2 | California | $71,461 | $34.36 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $53,118 | $25.54 |
| 4 | Washington | $62,038 | $29.83 |
| 5 | New York | $63,079 | $30.33 |
| 6 | Texas | $49,680 | $23.88 |
| 7 | Oregon | $52,267 | $25.13 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $54,340 | $26.13 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $48,322 | $23.23 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $49,227 | $23.67 |
| 11 | Florida | $48,125 | $23.14 |
| 12 | New Mexico | $48,975 | $23.55 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $50,836 | $24.44 |
| 14 | Louisiana | $47,967 | $23.06 |
| 15 | Arkansas | $47,318 | $22.75 |
| 16 | Iowa | $45,788 | $22.01 |
| 17 | Kansas | $47,744 | $22.95 |
| 18 | Alaska | $46,269 | $22.24 |
| 19 | Nevada | $43,389 | $20.86 |
| 20 | Colorado | $45,329 | $21.79 |
| 21 | North Carolina | $43,388 | $20.86 |
| 22 | Idaho | $43,630 | $20.98 |
| 23 | Illinois | $47,067 | $22.63 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| 25 | Arizona | $44,089 | $21.20 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $46,046 | $22.14 |
| 27 | Virginia | $42,512 | $20.44 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $42,635 | $20.50 |
| 29 | Ohio | $40,447 | $19.45 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $43,382 | $20.86 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $39,239 | $18.86 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $41,719 | $20.06 |
| 33 | Vermont | $45,743 | $21.99 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| 35 | Minnesota | $41,251 | $19.83 |
| 36 | Michigan | $38,795 | $18.65 |
| 37 | Montana | $40,721 | $19.58 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $50,163 | $24.12 |
| 39 | Maryland | $41,578 | $19.99 |
| 40 | Maine | $35,967 | $17.29 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $38,061 | $18.30 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $37,359 | $17.96 |
| 43 | Missouri | $41,118 | $19.77 |
| 44 | Utah | $40,442 | $19.44 |
| 45 | Georgia | $39,239 | $18.86 |
| 46 | Pennsylvania | $38,138 | $18.34 |
| 47 | Indiana | $36,104 | $17.36 |
| 48 | Alabama | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 49 | Delaware | $38,293 | $18.41 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $36,006 | $17.31 |
| 51 | Rhode Island | $33,872 | $16.28 |
Highest paying cities for surveyors
The highest-paying cities for surveyors are San Diego, CA, New York, NY, and Lakewood, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego, CA | $69,159 | $33.25 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $63,839 | $30.69 |
| 3 | Lakewood, WA | $62,291 | $29.95 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $52,024 | $25.01 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $51,289 | $24.66 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $50,566 | $24.31 |
| 7 | Plantation, FL | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| 8 | Albuquerque, NM | $49,033 | $23.57 |
| 9 | Metairie, LA | $48,938 | $23.53 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $47,228 | $22.71 |
| 11 | Colorado Springs, CO | $45,737 | $21.99 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,275 | $21.29 |
| 13 | Raleigh, NC | $43,890 | $21.10 |
| 14 | Madison, WI | $43,172 | $20.76 |
| 15 | Reno, NV | $42,738 | $20.55 |
| 16 | Columbia, SC | $42,168 | $20.27 |
| 17 | Richmond, VA | $42,004 | $20.19 |
| 18 | Columbia, MD | $41,639 | $20.02 |
| 19 | Minneapolis, MN | $41,265 | $19.84 |
| 20 | Columbia, MO | $40,878 | $19.65 |
Surveyor salary details
A surveyor's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $67,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a surveyor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| Average | $46,875 | $3,906 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying surveyor jobs
The highest paying types of surveyors are survey superintendent, quantity surveyor, and marine surveyor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party Chief | $44,955 | $3,746 | $21.61 | 15,579 |
| Instrument Person | $43,699 | $3,642 | $21.01 | 35,373 |
| Professional Land Surveyor | $47,097 | $3,925 | $22.64 | 47,350 |
| Survey Project Manager | $60,193 | $5,016 | $28.94 | 97,606 |
| Survey Party Chief | $45,923 | $3,827 | $22.08 | 15,901 |
| Survey Crew Chief | $43,849 | $3,654 | $21.08 | 78,189 |
Top companies hiring surveyors now:
Which companies pay surveyors the most?
Surveyor salaries at The Citadel and Corning Incorporated are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average surveyor salary at companies like Bowman Consulting Group and CME Associates are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Citadel | $95,154 | $45.75 |
| 2 | Corning Incorporated | $86,386 | $41.53 |
| 3 | Bowman Consulting Group | $78,474 | $37.73 |
| 4 | CME Associates | $78,435 | $37.71 |
| 5 | Tesoro | $78,324 | $37.66 |
| 6 | Timmons Group | $78,112 | $37.55 |
| 7 | Jacobs Engineering Group | $76,217 | $36.64 |
| 8 | Fishbeck | $76,093 | $36.58 |
| 9 | Century Engineering | $75,923 | $36.50 |
| 10 | Hargrove Engineers + Constructors | $75,816 | $36.45 |
| 11 | POWER Engineers | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| 12 | SAM Companies | $75,444 | $36.27 |
| 13 | Control Point Associates | $75,419 | $36.26 |
| 14 | Rick Engineering | $75,399 | $36.25 |
| 15 | Delta Engineers, Architects, & Land Surveyors | $75,222 | $36.16 |
| 16 | Bolton & Menk | $75,148 | $36.13 |
| 17 | Farnsworth Group | $75,129 | $36.12 |
| 18 | DuBois & King | $75,096 | $36.10 |
| 19 | CESO | $74,900 | $36.01 |
| 20 | Garver, LLC | $74,874 | $36.00 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Surveyor salary trends
The average surveyor salary has risen by $7,146 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average surveyor earned $39,729 annually, but today, they earn $46,875 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for surveyors over the last decade.
Compare surveyor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average surveyor salary over time
Compare surveyor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Surveyor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $46,900 | $22.54 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $45,300 | $21.79 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $44,700 | $21.50 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $43,700 | $21.01 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $42,400 | $20.41 | +2.3% |
Recently added surveyor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | Roads and Drainage-Survey Technician II | Winter Haven, FL | 06/29/2025 | $35,876 |
| AMT Engineering | Survey Technician/GIS Analyst-DMV Region | Washington, DC | 06/29/2025 | $62,610 |
| AMT Engineering | Survey Technician/GIS Analyst-DMV Region | Rockville, MD | 06/29/2025 | $62,610 |
| AMT Engineering | Survey Technician/GIS Analyst-DMV Region | Herndon, VA | 06/29/2025 | $62,610 |
| Allstate Sales Group | Survey Technician I | New York, NY | 06/29/2025 | $39,653 |
| Westwood Professional Services | Survey Technician, Renewables | Minnetonka, MN | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| Skillit | Surveyor | Houston, TX | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| Skillit | Surveyor | Monroe, LA | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| Seminole County, Fl | Survey Technician | Sanford, FL | 06/27/2025 | $37,044 |
| State of Pennsylvania | Survey Technician | Ebensburg, PA | 06/27/2025 | $45,907 |
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