Surveyor Salary in Tulsa, OK — 2026
Surveyor salary data for Tulsa, OK — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The median Surveyor salary in Tulsa, OK is $57,800 per year ($4,817/month, $28/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 85, which is 15% below the national average.
Surveyor Take-Home Pay in Tulsa
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $57,800 |
| Federal Tax | -$4,756 |
| State Tax (4.5%) | -$2,601 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$4,422 |
| Annual Take-Home | $46,021 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $3,835 |
Living Cost Comparison
Surveyor Requirements
Key Skills
Tulsa Job Market Overview
Tulsa, Oklahoma has a population of 413,066 and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. The top industries are Energy, Aerospace, Healthcare. The local job growth rate is 1.5%, and the average commute time is 21 minutes.
Related Trades Salaries in Tulsa
Surveyor Salary in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Salary Percentile Breakdown — Surveyor in Tulsa
Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Surveyor in Tulsa, OK, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $40,800 | $20/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $49,300 | $24/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $57,800 | $28/hr | Mid-career, 2-4 years |
| 75th | $78,200 | $38/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $95,200 | $46/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Surveyor compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Tulsa's Energy sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Surveyor salaries in Tulsa have grown approximately 8.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:
Year-over-year, an average Surveyor can expect a 11.5% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 6 years in Tulsa. Negotiation, certifications (PLS License), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Tulsa vs National Average
The national median Surveyor salary is $68,000. In Tulsa, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $57,800 is 15.0% below the national figure. This reflects Tulsa's cost of living index of 85 (lower than the national average of 100).
For Surveyors, this means: rent typically consumes 24.8% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Tulsa costs about 3.9× annual take-home. Homeownership is relatively attainable on this salary in Tulsa.
Industry Context: Energy in Tulsa
Tulsa's economy is anchored by Energy, Aerospace, Healthcare, with 413,066 residents and 3.2% unemployment as of 2026. Surveyors working in the Energy sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 1.5%, and Surveyor occupations specifically are projected to grow 4.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Surveyor salaries in Tulsa, OK:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Tulsa index of 85 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), OK state income tax of 4.5%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine — occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation and cost-of-living data
- U.S. Census Bureau — Tulsa QuickFacts — population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Tulsa unemployment rate
Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Surveyor salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Energy vs others in Tulsa), specific skill set (GPS Equipment, Total Station, CAD), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Surveyor salary in Tulsa, OK?
How much does a Surveyor take home in Tulsa after taxes?
Is Tulsa a good city for Surveyors?
What skills are needed for a Surveyor in Tulsa?
How does Surveyor salary in Tulsa compare to the national average?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Surveyor salary in Tulsa, OK?
The median Surveyor salary in Tulsa, OK is $57,800 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 85. Entry-level Surveyors earn around $40,800, while senior-level professionals can earn $78,200 or more.
How much does a Surveyor take home in Tulsa after taxes?
A Surveyor earning the median salary of $57,800 in Tulsa, OK takes home approximately $46,021 per year ($3,835/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 20.4%.
Is Tulsa a good city for Surveyors?
Tulsa, OK has a cost of living index of 85 (below national average). Surveyors here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.2% and top industries include Energy, Aerospace, Healthcare.
What skills are needed for a Surveyor in Tulsa?
Key skills for Surveyors include GPS Equipment, Total Station, CAD, Legal Descriptions, Boundary Analysis. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include PLS License.
How does Surveyor salary in Tulsa compare to the national average?
The national median Surveyor salary is $68,000. In Tulsa, the adjusted salary is $57,800, which is 15.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.