Surveying and Mapping Technicians

SOC code 17-3031 · O*NET-SOC 17-3031.00 · Medium preparation needed · Science and engineering

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Surveying and Mapping Technicians pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$54,240

a year

Hourly

$26.08

per hour

10th$37,520Median$54,24090th$81,630

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$58,000

$27.89 per hour

Middle 50%

$45,430 – $66,700

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$37,520 – $81,630

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

58,010

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $37,520; $18.04/hr
25th percentile: $45,430; $21.84/hr
Median percentile: $54,240; $26.08/hr
75th percentile: $66,700; $32.07/hr
90th percentile: $81,630; $39.24/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

+5%

Growing faster than average

59,400

jobs in 2024

62,100

projected for 2034

About 2,700 more jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What do surveying and mapping technicians do?

Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.
Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points.
Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.
Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.
Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors.
Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.
Record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings.

How to qualify for this work

Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed

Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

See all zone 3 occupations →

The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.

Common questions

How much does a surveying and mapping technicians earn?

The national median is $54,240 a year. The full range runs from $37,520 at the 10th percentile to $81,630 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a surveying and mapping technicians without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Is surveying and mapping technicians in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension3.6/5
Critical Thinking3.5/5
Mathematics3.3/5
Active Listening3.1/5
Monitoring3.1/5
Speaking3.0/5
Writing2.9/5

Knowledge areas

Geography4.1/5
Mathematics4.0/5
English Language3.5/5
Computers and Electronics3.4/5
Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
Design3.3/5
Education and Training3.2/5
Engineering and Technology3.1/5

Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making.