Topographical surveyor vs land surveyor

The differences between topographical 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 topographical surveyor and a land surveyor. Additionally, a topographical surveyor has an average salary of $54,768, which is higher than the $46,182 average annual salary of a land surveyor.

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

Topographical surveyor vs land surveyor overview

	Topographical Surveyor	Land Surveyor
Yearly salary	$54,768	$46,182
Hourly rate	$26.33	$22.20
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	1,929	4,717
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

Topographical surveyor vs land surveyor salary

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

	Topographical Surveyor	Land Surveyor
Average salary	$54,768	$46,182
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $82,000	Between $31,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City	-	Walnut Creek, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Adobe
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between topographical surveyor and land surveyor education

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

	Topographical Surveyor	Land Surveyor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common major	Surveying, Mapping, And Hydraulic Technologies	Civil Engineering
Most common college	University of Florida	Pennsylvania State University

Topographical surveyor vs land surveyor demographics

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

	Topographical Surveyor	Land Surveyor
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9%	Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%
Race ratio	Black 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 Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between topographical surveyor and land surveyor duties and responsibilities

Topographical 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.

Topographical surveyor vs land surveyor skills

Common topographical surveyor skills

Survey Data, 76%
GPS, 24%

Common land surveyor skills

GPS, 21%
Data Collection, 8%
Topographic Surveys, 8%
Survey Data, 8%
Boundary Surveys, 6%
Civil 3D, 6%