Surveyor salary
BLS occupation: Surveyors · Architecture and engineering · data for May 2025
Median salary $75,440 a year, US
Median hourly pay $36.27 an hour
Middle half earn $58,170–$98,130 25th to 75th percentile
Surveyors employed 50,830 +5.8% projected by 2035
How much does a surveyor make?
- The median surveyor salary in the US is $75,440 a year ($36.27 an hour): half of the 50,830 surveyors BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $80,570.
- The middle half earn between $58,170 and $98,130. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $46,880 and the top 10% more than $125,590.
- That is 48% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays surveyors the most (median $105,330), followed by Alaska ($99,550) and Oregon ($97,070). Arkansas pays the least ($51,800).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Alaska, where the median is worth $97,256 in typical US prices, then California and Oregon. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In 133 of the 209 metro areas with data, the median surveyor salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of surveyors to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 3,100 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what surveyors are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Surveyor salary range
Half of surveyors earn between $58,170 and $98,130 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $46,880
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $58,170
Median Yearly pay: $75,440
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $98,130
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $125,590
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $46,880 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $58,170 |
| Median | $75,440 |
| Top 25% earn over | $98,130 |
| Top 10% earn over | $125,590 |
Surveyor salary by state
California pays surveyors the most; Arkansas the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($75,440), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $105,330 median |
| Alaska | $99,550 median |
| Oregon | $97,070 median |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 median |
| Washington | $85,610 median |
| Montana | $84,610 median |
| Minnesota | $83,620 median |
| Maine | $83,200 median |
| Delaware | $82,890 median |
| Nevada | $82,460 median |
| Hawaii | $82,200 median |
| Wyoming | $81,250 median |
| Indiana | $80,510 median |
| Wisconsin | $79,650 median |
| North Dakota | $79,360 median |
| Colorado | $79,310 median |
| New York | $78,870 median |
| Arizona | $77,490 median |
| South Dakota | $77,190 median |
| New Jersey | $77,160 median |
| Iowa | $77,090 median |
| Connecticut | $76,730 median |
| Vermont | $76,450 median |
| Tennessee | $76,340 median |
| North Carolina | $76,210 median |
| Illinois | $75,980 median |
| Pennsylvania | $75,950 median |
| Kansas | $75,860 median |
| New Mexico | $74,230 median |
| Idaho | $73,940 median |
| Utah | $73,230 median |
| Michigan | $72,080 median |
| Kentucky | $71,840 median |
| Virginia | $71,070 median |
| Ohio | $70,620 median |
| Nebraska | $68,050 median |
| Alabama | $66,840 median |
| Florida | $65,480 median |
| New Hampshire | $65,130 median |
| Maryland | $64,910 median |
| South Carolina | $63,300 median |
| Louisiana | $63,140 median |
| Rhode Island | $62,670 median |
| Missouri | $62,110 median |
| West Virginia | $61,520 median |
| Oklahoma | $61,300 median |
| Texas | $61,150 median |
| Mississippi | $58,720 median |
| Georgia | $58,100 median |
| Arkansas | $51,800 median |
Where surveyor pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Surveyors' pay goes furthest in Alaska once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $97,256 |
| California | $95,132 |
| Oregon | $93,914 |
| Massachusetts | $89,441 |
| Montana | $89,397 |
| North Dakota | $89,210 |
| Iowa | $87,840 |
| Wyoming | $87,657 |
| South Dakota | $87,136 |
| Indiana | $86,265 |
Surveyor pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $105,330 | $50.64 | $59,310 | $160,430 | 4,520 | $95,132 |
| Alaska | $99,550 | $47.86 | $73,520 | $142,980 | 250 | $97,256 |
| Oregon | $97,070 | $46.67 | $64,880 | $131,040 | 530 | $93,914 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 | $45.48 | $57,880 | $129,410 | 1,290 | $89,441 |
| Washington | $85,610 | $41.16 | $63,860 | $134,620 | 780 | $80,000 |
| Montana | $84,610 | $40.68 | $57,720 | $120,370 | 350 | $89,397 |
| Minnesota | $83,620 | $40.20 | $49,510 | $125,040 | 980 | $84,789 |
| Maine | $83,200 | $40.00 | $56,110 | $131,890 | 270 | $85,729 |
| Delaware | $82,890 | $39.85 | $63,200 | $126,600 | 120 | $83,049 |
| Nevada | $82,460 | $39.64 | $64,160 | $127,660 | 490 | $82,477 |
| Hawaii | $82,200 | $39.52 | $58,900 | $104,190 | 140 | $74,761 |
| Wyoming | $81,250 | $39.06 | $53,500 | $116,770 | 240 | $87,657 |
| Indiana | $80,510 | $38.71 | $48,260 | $118,760 | 870 | $86,265 |
| Wisconsin | $79,650 | $38.29 | $57,510 | $118,850 | 610 | $84,648 |
| North Dakota | $79,360 | $38.15 | $52,680 | $127,780 | 250 | $89,210 |
| Colorado | $79,310 | $38.13 | $51,220 | $115,990 | 1,620 | $76,961 |
| New York | $78,870 | $37.92 | $53,390 | $126,340 | 1,470 | $73,081 |
| Arizona | $77,490 | $37.25 | $48,940 | $110,950 | 1,360 | $76,969 |
| South Dakota | $77,190 | $37.11 | $59,690 | $122,560 | 180 | $87,136 |
| New Jersey | $77,160 | $37.10 | $58,240 | $132,930 | 900 | $70,916 |
| Iowa | $77,090 | $37.06 | $47,830 | $129,670 | 450 | $87,840 |
| Connecticut | $76,730 | $36.89 | $58,140 | $109,050 | 430 | $74,057 |
| Vermont | $76,450 | $36.75 | $50,640 | $83,860 | – | $78,044 |
| Tennessee | $76,340 | $36.70 | $48,950 | $114,400 | 920 | $83,096 |
| North Carolina | $76,210 | $36.64 | $46,750 | $128,200 | 1,530 | $80,794 |
| Illinois | $75,980 | $36.53 | $46,540 | $126,300 | 1,710 | $76,012 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,950 | $36.51 | $52,160 | $115,450 | 1,610 | $77,840 |
| Kansas | $75,860 | $36.47 | $50,320 | $100,920 | 350 | $84,225 |
| New Mexico | $74,230 | $35.69 | $42,890 | $101,230 | 290 | $80,499 |
| Idaho | $73,940 | $35.55 | $46,500 | $113,400 | 250 | $77,429 |
| Utah | $73,230 | $35.21 | $45,180 | $106,230 | 650 | $74,071 |
| Michigan | $72,080 | $34.65 | $51,240 | $99,940 | 1,050 | $74,914 |
| Kentucky | $71,840 | $34.54 | $39,000 | $101,330 | 670 | $79,681 |
| Virginia | $71,070 | $34.17 | $50,770 | $109,600 | 1,360 | $70,294 |
| Ohio | $70,620 | $33.95 | $48,600 | $114,440 | 1,300 | $76,120 |
| Nebraska | $68,050 | $32.72 | $51,660 | $103,650 | 430 | $75,525 |
| Alabama | $66,840 | $32.13 | $38,520 | $112,580 | 910 | $75,251 |
| Florida | $65,480 | $31.48 | $46,160 | $121,360 | 4,000 | $63,318 |
| New Hampshire | $65,130 | $31.31 | $58,000 | $93,560 | 280 | $62,526 |
| Maryland | $64,910 | $31.21 | $44,110 | $166,400 | 950 | $61,843 |
| South Carolina | $63,300 | $30.43 | $44,710 | $100,360 | 1,000 | $67,521 |
| Louisiana | $63,140 | $30.36 | $38,810 | $111,790 | 1,460 | $71,582 |
| Rhode Island | $62,670 | $30.13 | $44,130 | $99,270 | 150 | $61,273 |
| Missouri | $62,110 | $29.86 | $42,700 | $101,730 | 830 | $68,390 |
| West Virginia | $61,520 | $29.58 | $37,920 | $100,280 | 630 | $68,740 |
| Oklahoma | $61,300 | $29.47 | $37,510 | $103,270 | 960 | $69,784 |
| Texas | $61,150 | $29.40 | $42,450 | $107,850 | 6,410 | $63,004 |
| Mississippi | $58,720 | $28.23 | $38,840 | $96,460 | 570 | $67,531 |
| Georgia | $58,100 | $27.93 | $44,680 | $105,270 | 1,770 | $60,337 |
| Arkansas | $51,800 | $24.90 | $36,380 | $91,610 | 550 | $59,583 |
BLS does not publish pay for surveyors in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Surveyor salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes surveyor pay: 212 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Yuba City, CA $133,270
- Sacramento, CA $128,600
- San Francisco, CA $125,060
- Redding, CA $124,160
- Vallejo, CA $123,590
- Stockton, CA $120,000
- San Jose, CA $117,160
- Kennewick, WA $111,400
- San Luis Obispo, CA $107,700
- Fresno, CA $107,230
Where the pay goes furthest
- Yuba City, CA $127,858
- Redding, CA $123,317
- Sacramento, CA $120,559
- Stockton, CA $114,189
- Vallejo, CA $113,930
- Fargo, ND $112,544
- Kennewick, WA $111,312
- Davenport, IA $111,171
- San Francisco, CA $108,171
- San Jose, CA $106,101
All 212 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuba City, CA | $133,270 | 50 | $127,858 | 18% |
| Sacramento, CA | $128,600 | 370 | $120,559 | 21% |
| San Francisco, CA | $125,060 | 630 | $108,171 | 33% |
| Redding, CA | $124,160 | 40 | $123,317 | 16% |
| Vallejo, CA | $123,590 | 50 | $113,930 | 24% |
| Stockton, CA | $120,000 | 40 | $114,189 | 24% |
| San Jose, CA | $117,160 | 170 | $106,101 | 39% |
| Kennewick, WA | $111,400 | 30 | $111,312 | 18% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $107,700 | 80 | $99,175 | 31% |
| Fresno, CA | $107,230 | 190 | $104,965 | 23% |
| Bellingham, WA | $106,590 | 40 | $103,151 | 22% |
| Salem, OR | $102,880 | 60 | $99,258 | 19% |
| Fargo, ND | $102,270 | 60 | $112,544 | 13% |
| San Diego, CA | $102,210 | 430 | $91,351 | 35% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $101,950 | 970 | $89,772 | 34% |
| Anchorage, AK | $101,820 | 170 | $96,585 | 22% |
| Salinas, CA | $101,120 | 40 | $92,735 | 33% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $100,930 | 100 | $92,768 | 39% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $100,920 | 130 | $93,632 | 32% |
| Riverside, CA | $100,510 | 480 | $94,427 | 30% |
| Modesto, CA | $99,270 | 60 | $95,353 | 25% |
| Davenport, IA | $99,030 | 50 | $111,171 | 12% |
| Oxnard, CA | $98,810 | 80 | $89,393 | 36% |
| Portland, OR | $98,610 | 320 | $93,539 | 22% |
| Bend, OR | $96,240 | 50 | $92,889 | 28% |
| Boston, MA | $94,970 | 1,070 | $87,719 | 38% |
| Raleigh, NC | $93,660 | 350 | $95,419 | 21% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $91,750 | 620 | $87,529 | 23% |
| Olympia, WA | $91,060 | 40 | $87,836 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $90,310 | 70 | $92,828 | 24% |
| Eugene, OR | $89,630 | 40 | $88,246 | 24% |
| Portland, ME | $88,880 | 160 | $87,259 | 31% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $88,050 | 110 | $87,277 | 25% |
| Bozeman, MT | $86,380 | 50 | $84,265 | 31% |
| Seattle, WA | $85,610 | 390 | $77,034 | 32% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $84,800 | 60 | $91,604 | 18% |
| Billings, MT | $84,670 | 60 | $90,531 | 20% |
| Worcester, MA | $84,270 | 80 | $82,196 | 30% |
| New York, NY | $83,610 | 1,300 | $74,278 | 51% |
| Durham, NC | $83,420 | 50 | $85,496 | 24% |
| Evansville, IN | $82,920 | 30 | $90,595 | 16% |
| South Bend, IN | $82,170 | 40 | $88,490 | 18% |
| Honolulu, HI | $82,070 | 110 | $73,963 | 44% |
| Missoula, MT | $81,940 | 50 | $84,960 | 24% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $81,560 | 250 | $85,228 | 22% |
| Green Bay, WI | $81,550 | 30 | $87,607 | 16% |
| New Haven, CT | $81,490 | 60 | $77,937 | 30% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $81,400 | 170 | $83,972 | 23% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $81,030 | 80 | $89,406 | 19% |
| Denver, CO | $80,970 | 910 | $76,544 | 28% |
| Chicago, IL | $80,060 | 1,140 | $77,282 | 32% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $79,920 | 120 | $83,646 | 22% |
| Topeka, KS | $79,630 | 40 | $89,653 | 19% |
| Bismarck, ND | $79,620 | 60 | $87,471 | 20% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $79,530 | 180 | $78,972 | 27% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $79,500 | 970 | $76,948 | 26% |
| Helena, MT | $79,230 | 40 | $82,812 | 25% |
| New Orleans, LA | $79,230 | 310 | $85,564 | 24% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $79,140 | 280 | $78,970 | 26% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $79,040 | 610 | $77,072 | 29% |
| Nashville, TN | $78,870 | 340 | $81,868 | 27% |
| Des Moines, IA | $78,860 | 150 | $85,997 | 19% |
| Lexington, KY | $78,690 | 190 | $84,714 | 24% |
| Reno, NV | $78,640 | 80 | $77,851 | 32% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $78,540 | 30 | $78,350 | – |
| Spokane, WA | $78,490 | 40 | $78,219 | 23% |
| Burlington, VT | $78,460 | – | $77,722 | 40% |
| Springfield, IL | $78,460 | 40 | $84,598 | 18% |
| Rapid City, SD | $78,320 | 40 | $87,842 | 22% |
| Allentown, PA | $78,230 | 80 | $78,255 | 28% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $78,170 | 240 | $81,965 | 23% |
| Toledo, OH | $78,140 | 90 | $85,441 | 19% |
| Provo, UT | $77,920 | 110 | $79,322 | 27% |
| Columbus, OH | $77,320 | 290 | $80,990 | 24% |
| York, PA | $77,170 | 70 | $80,385 | 21% |
| Waterbury, CT | $77,160 | 40 | $77,332 | – |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $77,080 | 300 | $81,419 | 23% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $77,050 | 110 | $72,101 | 45% |
| Boulder, CO | $76,980 | 110 | $73,174 | 34% |
| Greensboro, NC | $76,930 | 80 | $82,841 | 22% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $76,880 | 70 | $76,022 | 31% |
| Lancaster, PA | $76,880 | 60 | $78,244 | 25% |
| Charlotte, NC | $76,710 | 450 | $78,800 | 27% |
| Manchester, NH | $76,310 | 70 | $72,224 | 34% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $76,190 | 40 | $85,642 | 19% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $76,130 | 100 | $79,679 | 25% |
| Hartford, CT | $76,110 | 140 | $74,076 | 32% |
| Memphis, TN | $76,060 | 100 | $82,513 | 22% |
| Trenton, NJ | $75,870 | 100 | $73,532 | 40% |
| Duluth, MN | $75,360 | 60 | $84,895 | 21% |
| Buffalo, NY | $75,210 | 70 | $78,471 | 23% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $75,110 | 70 | $78,669 | 28% |
| Boise, ID | $75,050 | 100 | $76,277 | 31% |
| Washington, DC | $74,920 | 850 | $68,807 | 39% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $74,880 | 130 | $75,905 | 24% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $74,670 | 50 | $75,533 | 33% |
| Birmingham, AL | $74,670 | 240 | $81,478 | 23% |
| Syracuse, NY | $74,440 | 50 | $77,751 | 26% |
| Clarksville, TN | $74,410 | 40 | $81,817 | 22% |
| Miami, FL | $74,390 | 670 | $65,166 | 43% |
| Lansing, MI | $74,200 | 40 | $78,113 | 21% |
| Richmond, VA | $74,150 | 160 | $75,773 | 28% |
| Knoxville, TN | $74,100 | 140 | $80,048 | 28% |
| Asheville, NC | $74,030 | 100 | $76,710 | 28% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $73,930 | 40 | $75,214 | 30% |
| Kansas City, MO | $73,780 | 260 | $79,725 | 25% |
| Ogden, UT | $73,440 | 80 | $73,185 | 27% |
| Dayton, OH | $73,290 | 60 | $79,067 | 22% |
| Norwich, CT | $73,280 | 50 | $72,955 | 34% |
| Tucson, AZ | $73,120 | 140 | $75,462 | 24% |
| Scranton, PA | $72,800 | 50 | $77,814 | 22% |
| Canton, OH | $72,750 | 30 | $81,370 | 19% |
| Providence, RI | $72,470 | 180 | $71,207 | 36% |
| Detroit, MI | $72,420 | 440 | $72,205 | 25% |
| Albany, NY | $72,360 | 130 | $72,675 | 28% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $72,350 | 80 | $72,185 | 38% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $72,230 | 300 | $71,608 | 27% |
| Wilmington, NC | $72,160 | 120 | $74,838 | 29% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $72,100 | 190 | $73,616 | 31% |
| Greeley, CO | $71,950 | 60 | $71,824 | 28% |
| Wichita, KS | $71,750 | 90 | $80,667 | 20% |
| Louisville, KY | $71,550 | 150 | $76,874 | 22% |
| Peoria, IL | $71,350 | 40 | $78,208 | 19% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $71,320 | 60 | $77,486 | 26% |
| Montgomery, AL | $71,210 | 40 | $79,403 | 23% |
| Naples, FL | $71,090 | 60 | $68,886 | 44% |
| Killeen, TX | $70,270 | 40 | $77,108 | 22% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $70,030 | 80 | $74,564 | 25% |
| Lincoln, NE | $70,010 | 70 | $76,446 | 22% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $69,710 | 370 | $76,790 | 24% |
| Rochester, NY | $69,490 | 120 | $71,613 | 26% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $68,890 | 40 | $62,958 | 39% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $68,510 | 60 | $75,244 | 26% |
| Sherman, TX | $66,980 | 30 | $71,429 | 24% |
| Savannah, GA | $66,870 | 110 | $70,237 | 32% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $66,590 | 300 | $66,935 | 30% |
| Columbia, SC | $66,580 | 170 | $71,085 | 28% |
| Lakeland, FL | $66,440 | 90 | $68,395 | 33% |
| Tampa, FL | $66,390 | 760 | $65,804 | 36% |
| Beaumont, TX | $66,340 | 180 | $73,673 | 24% |
| Gainesville, FL | $66,290 | 40 | $68,529 | 30% |
| Dallas, TX | $66,030 | 1,400 | $64,051 | 30% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $65,960 | 60 | $73,143 | 22% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $65,820 | 40 | $66,387 | 37% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $65,720 | 140 | $65,717 | 34% |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,560 | 460 | $68,947 | 26% |
| Joplin, MO | $65,340 | 30 | $76,227 | 23% |
| Mobile, AL | $65,110 | 100 | $73,906 | 24% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $65,000 | 60 | $69,413 | 32% |
| Springfield, MO | $64,910 | 40 | $73,274 | 23% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $64,520 | 60 | $75,153 | 25% |
| Omaha, NE | $64,360 | 160 | $70,024 | 26% |
| Cleveland, OH | $64,300 | 200 | $68,460 | 27% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $64,280 | 40 | $73,277 | 31% |
| North Port, FL | $64,210 | 130 | $62,695 | 39% |
| Slidell, LA | $64,200 | – | $69,236 | – |
| Reading, PA | $64,150 | 60 | $66,093 | 29% |
| Bangor, ME | $64,120 | 30 | $66,440 | 28% |
| Huntington, WV | $64,010 | 70 | $72,391 | 20% |
| Orlando, FL | $63,900 | 660 | $63,007 | 36% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $63,880 | 500 | $70,657 | 26% |
| Houma, LA | $63,800 | 110 | $74,968 | 24% |
| Charleston, SC | $63,680 | 220 | $63,073 | 38% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $63,130 | 50 | $62,654 | 39% |
| Houston, TX | $62,960 | 1,960 | $63,835 | 31% |
| Huntsville, AL | $62,880 | 180 | $67,561 | 26% |
| Kingsport, TN | $62,630 | 50 | $72,449 | 25% |
| Sebastian, FL | $62,370 | 40 | $63,443 | 41% |
| Crestview, FL | $61,960 | 80 | $63,856 | 38% |
| Gulfport, MS | $61,890 | 100 | $68,762 | 28% |
| Panama City, FL | $61,720 | 80 | $63,435 | 34% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $61,650 | 180 | $66,526 | 28% |
| Akron, OH | $61,500 | 100 | $65,867 | 25% |
| Deltona, FL | $61,210 | 110 | $61,600 | 35% |
| Midland, TX | $61,180 | 90 | $63,874 | 31% |
| Columbus, GA | $60,970 | 40 | $68,279 | 27% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $60,940 | 200 | $59,541 | 36% |
| Jackson, MS | $60,800 | 110 | $68,278 | 29% |
| Tulsa, OK | $60,600 | 240 | $67,927 | 27% |
| Pensacola, FL | $60,560 | 70 | $61,975 | 34% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $60,550 | 30 | $64,298 | 32% |
| Charleston, WV | $60,160 | 80 | $67,811 | 24% |
| Gainesville, GA | $59,960 | 40 | $61,964 | 34% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $59,850 | 100 | $65,436 | 30% |
| Daphne, AL | $59,800 | 50 | $63,153 | 34% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $59,740 | 60 | $60,949 | 40% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $59,730 | 30 | $60,791 | 38% |
| Wheeling, WV | $59,720 | 40 | $67,615 | 17% |
| Odessa, TX | $59,660 | 30 | $63,538 | 32% |
| San Antonio, TX | $59,140 | 480 | $62,439 | 29% |
| Monroe, LA | $58,920 | 80 | $70,481 | 24% |
| Waco, TX | $58,430 | 30 | $63,133 | 29% |
| Shreveport, LA | $58,360 | 50 | $68,848 | 26% |
| Greenville, SC | $58,250 | 170 | $62,460 | 32% |
| Beckley, WV | $58,240 | 40 | $65,905 | 21% |
| The Villages, FL | $58,170 | 50 | $68,096 | 36% |
| Ocala, FL | $58,070 | 60 | $60,976 | 33% |
| Longview, TX | $57,670 | 100 | $64,447 | 24% |
| Austin, TX | $57,580 | 790 | $58,716 | 33% |
| Atlanta, GA | $57,260 | 1,100 | $57,227 | 39% |
| Tyler, TX | $56,810 | 110 | $61,645 | 28% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $55,490 | 140 | $60,742 | 34% |
| Youngstown, OH | $55,010 | 30 | $62,945 | 23% |
| Augusta, GA | $54,240 | 70 | $59,019 | 32% |
| Little Rock, AR | $53,920 | 180 | $60,337 | 27% |
| Erie, PA | $53,650 | 40 | $58,988 | 25% |
| McAllen, TX | $53,210 | 40 | $61,948 | 25% |
| El Paso, TX | $51,380 | 60 | $57,145 | 36% |
| Lubbock, TX | $50,780 | 50 | $55,608 | 31% |
| Morgantown, WV | $50,220 | 40 | $53,813 | 32% |
| Lafayette, LA | $49,820 | 220 | $57,127 | 33% |
| College Station, TX | $49,660 | 40 | $54,601 | 36% |
What the median surveyor salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $75,440 |
| Month | $6,287 |
| Every two weeks | $2,902 |
| Week | $1,451 |
| Hour | $36.27 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a surveyor: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Internship/residency |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +5.8% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 3,100 |
| Self-employed | 2.1% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | $100,840 | Bachelor's degree |
| Electrical engineer | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| Chemical engineer | $125,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer hardware engineer | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| Aerospace engineer | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| Petroleum engineer | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| Architect | $99,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| Mechanical engineer | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about surveyor pay
How much does a surveyor make an hour?
The median is $36.27 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $22.54 and the top 10% over $60.38.
How much does a surveyor make a month?
About $6,287 a month before taxes at the median salary of $75,440, or $2,902 every two weeks.
What state pays surveyors the most?
California, with a median of $105,330. Alaska ($99,550), Oregon ($97,070), Massachusetts ($94,590) and Washington ($85,610) follow.
Where do surveyors make the most after cost of living?
Alaska: its median of $99,550 is worth $97,256 at typical US prices. California, Oregon and Massachusetts come next.
How much do entry-level surveyors make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of surveyors earn under $46,880 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $58,170, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a surveyor?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: internship/residency.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 17-1022 (Surveyors). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.