Job description
Surveyors work on construction projects, engineering initiatives and mapmaking efforts by making exact measurements to find out property boundaries. They gather and record data that is relevant to the contour and shape of the earth’s surface and geodetic measurements.
Duties
- Perform ground surveys to list baselines, elevations and other geodetic measurements
- Conduct or supervise surveys to set up legal boundaries as part of measurements
- Visit worksites to set up equipment and get prepared with necessary work safety gear
- Adjust surveying instruments when necessary to ensure accurate readings and data compilation
- Make calculations (heights and depths) of property lines, relative positions and boundaries
- Confer with colleagues on criteria for survey tactics
- Supervise staff in survey proposal preparation and explain the day’s directives
- Prepare, produce and update maps and reports to describe the work being performed
- Gather physical survey data by searching for legal records about the area’s property boundaries
- Jot down technical design details by composing charts, plots and maps from survey data
- Collaborate with engineering and architectural staff to reveal your findings
- Insert geodetic measurements into the computer to interpret geomorphic and topographic features
- Understand longitudes and latitudes in survey areas utilising theodolites and global positioning systems (GPS)
- Lead aerial surveying in geographical locations
Skills and qualities
Job outlook
Projected growth
6%
New jobs
3k
Automation risk
38%
Career progression
With experience and through continued education and training, surveyors can advance to supervisory or management positions, such as survey manager, survey party chief, survey project manager or survey superintendent.
Working conditions
Average hours
40h/ week
Typical schedule
Full Time
Some overtime
A surveyor’s working hours do not typically exceed 40 hours a week, but some overtime is to be expected, especially when leading up to deadlines or if the government has given project leaders a mandate to speed up the process.
Surveyors primarily work on a job site, and travel is often required. They work in all types of weather conditions, such as unbearable heat or bitter cold.
Salary
Bottom 10%
$35k
Median
$63k
Top 10%
$100k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Qualifications and training
Education level
Undergraduate
Bachelor’s degree in surveying or related subject
Study time
4 years
Surveyors generally need to possess a bachelor’s degree in surveying, mapping or geomatics. They must also be licensed.
Do note that licensing criteria and standards vary by state. That said, you will typically need to meet the necessary education requirements, pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam, work under a licensed surveyor and pass the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PPS) exam.
Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) O*NET Online Oxford Martin SchoolLast Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022