Surveyor Salary in 2026
Measure and map the earth's surface to establish property boundaries and plan construction.
Median Salary
$75,440
$6,287/mo
Entry Level
$53,300
starting pay
Senior Level
$102,100
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Surveyors (SOC 17-1022) at a national median of $75,440 per year (mean $80,570), or $36.27 per hour, with 50,830 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Surveyor Overview
Measure and map the earth's surface to establish property boundaries and plan construction.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Trades
Total Jobs (US)
51K
5-Year Growth
+8%
Category
Trades
Hourly Rate
$36.27/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,287
Surveyor Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Surveyor salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Surveyor Salary
$86,000
$7,167/month · $3,308/biweekly · $41.35/hr
Surveyor Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Surveyor field.
Entry-level Surveyors earn around $53,300, while the top 10% earn $113,200 or more.
Top Paying States for Surveyors
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $89,000 | +$13,560 |
| New York | $87,000 | +$11,560 |
| Colorado | $79,000 | +$3,560 |
| Texas | $74,000 | $-1,440 |
| Florida | $74,000 | $-1,440 |
Top Paying Cities for Surveyors
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $89,000 | +$13,560 |
| Los Angeles | $84,000 | +$8,560 |
| Denver | $80,000 | +$4,560 |
| Miami | $77,000 | +$1,560 |
| Houston | $75,000 | $-440 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Surveyor Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Surveyor from entry level to expert.
$53,300
0-2 years
$78,000
3-7 years
$102,100
8-14 years
$124,300
15+ years
Related Trades Jobs
Surveyor Salary FAQ
How much does a Surveyor make in 2026?
The median salary for a Surveyor in the United States is $75,440 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Surveyors (SOC 17-1022); the mean is $80,570. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $53,300, senior professionals around $102,100, and top earners at $124,300 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Surveyor?
A Surveyor typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include GPS Equipment, Total Station, CAD. Relevant certifications such as PLS License can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Surveyors?
The job market for Surveyors is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 51K Surveyor positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 8%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Surveyors the most?
The highest-paying states for Surveyors include California, Texas, Florida. In California, the median salary is approximately $89,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Surveyor salary?
To increase your Surveyor salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like GPS Equipment and Total Station. Pursue certifications such as PLS License. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Houston. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $53,300 to $102,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Surveyor Salary
How we calculate Surveyor salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Surveyors (SOC 17-1022), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $75,440, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Surveyors; BLS mean $80,570; BLS hourly median $36.27.
- Entry-level ($53,300) and senior-level ($102,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 50,830 Surveyors jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 8% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Trades sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $75,440; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Surveyor compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Surveyor job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Trades
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Surveyor salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (GPS Equipment, Total Station, CAD), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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