How much does a surveyor make?
The median surveyor in the United States earns $72,740 per year, about $34.97 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all surveyors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 17-1022.
Surveyor salary range
Pay for surveyors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $43,680 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $116,330. The average (mean) wage of $76,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,680 | $21.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $53,590 | $25.76 | |
| Median (50th) | $72,740 | $34.97 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $94,550 | $45.46 | |
| 90th percentile | $116,330 | $55.93 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for surveyors (SOC 17-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Surveyor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Surveyors earn the most in California at $103,790 a year, and the least in Minnesota at $46,610. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $103,790 | 3,750 |
| New Jersey | $93,260 | 950 |
| Washington | $88,340 | 800 |
| Oregon | $87,730 | 580 |
| South Dakota | $86,260 | 170 |
| Alaska | $85,520 | 290 |
| Delaware | $85,350 | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $84,260 | 1,800 |
| Nevada | $82,990 | 570 |
| Indiana | $81,010 | 1,000 |
| Maine | $80,740 | 300 |
| Hawaii | $79,730 | 120 |
| Montana | $79,230 | 360 |
| New York | $79,050 | 1,570 |
| North Dakota | $78,750 | 310 |
| Arizona | $78,480 | 1,440 |
| Illinois | $77,540 | 1,450 |
| Wyoming | $77,320 | 220 |
| Colorado | $77,050 | 1,580 |
| Wisconsin | $76,790 | 660 |
| Connecticut | $76,760 | 530 |
| Iowa | $76,720 | 450 |
| New Mexico | $75,190 | 210 |
| Tennessee | $74,690 | 800 |
| Idaho | $74,270 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,680 | 1,360 |
| Virginia | $73,380 | 1,410 |
| Kansas | $70,820 | 400 |
| Michigan | $69,990 | 1,410 |
| Vermont | $68,510 | 130 |
| North Carolina | $67,870 | 1,660 |
| Kentucky | $67,060 | 580 |
| New Hampshire | $66,750 | 260 |
| Nebraska | $66,020 | 260 |
| Ohio | $65,970 | 1,160 |
| Utah | $64,260 | 660 |
| Alabama | $63,700 | 830 |
| South Carolina | $62,160 | 870 |
| Florida | $62,100 | 4,310 |
| Maryland | $62,100 | 1,150 |
| West Virginia | $61,610 | 520 |
| Oklahoma | $60,870 | 890 |
| Georgia | $60,410 | 1,720 |
| Louisiana | $60,020 | 1,360 |
| District of Columbia | $59,860 | N/A |
| Missouri | $59,500 | 1,150 |
| Texas | $59,450 | 7,530 |
| Mississippi | $57,370 | 590 |
| Arkansas | $57,260 | 520 |
| Rhode Island | $52,000 | 130 |
| Minnesota | $46,610 | 1,850 |
State median wages for surveyors (SOC 17-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for surveyors
The BLS projects employment of surveyors to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 52,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 55,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,100 openings a year for surveyors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a surveyor
The typical entry-level education for surveyors is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a surveyor earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $103,790) and the lowest (Minnesota, $46,610) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 53,080 people work as surveyors in the United States. At $72,740 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Surveyor salary FAQ
How much does a surveyor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a surveyor is $34.97. The middle half of surveyors earn between $25.76 and $45.46 per hour.
What is the highest surveyor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of surveyors earn more than $116,330 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a surveyor make a year?
The median annual salary for a surveyor is $72,740. The average (mean) wage of $76,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a surveyor a well paid job?
At $72,740 a year, a surveyor earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 53,080 people work as surveyors in the United States.
Which state pays surveyors the most?
California has the highest median salary for surveyors at $103,790 a year. New Jersey ($93,260) and Washington ($88,340) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a surveyor a good career?
Employment of surveyors is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a surveyor?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for surveyors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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