Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Summary

What Surveying and Mapping Technicians Do About this section

Surveying technicians operate surveying instruments, such as electronic distance-measuring equipment.

Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth’s surface. They may calculate mapmaking information and create maps from surveying notes, satellite data, or other sources to show features such as topography and boundaries. They assist surveyors and cartographers and photogrammetrists.

Duties

Surveying and mapping technicians typically do the following:

• Visit sites to record survey measurements and other descriptive data
• Search for previous survey markers or set out new markers
• Operate surveying instruments, such as electronic distance-measuring equipment
• Enter the data from surveying instruments into computers
• Select, edit, and process images collected from databases to create new maps or to update existing maps
• Assist photogrammetrists by laying out aerial photographs in sequence to identify areas not captured by aerial photography

Surveying and mapping technicians help surveyors in the field. They do many of the activities related to obtaining information for mapmaking. For example, they may clear brush from the survey line or use drones to take photos.

Survey and mapping technicians also help to process the data collected. For example, they may calculate measurements, including angles and elevations, gathered during a survey. They combine data from Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, images, notes, and other sources to complete or update maps and surveys. They may use Computer Aided Design (CAD) software in their work.

GIS technicians use GIS technology to assemble, integrate, and display data about a particular location in a digital format. In addition, GIS technicians maintain and update databases for GIS devices.

Work Environment About this section

Surveying and mapping technicians held about 57,400 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of surveying and mapping technicians were as follows:

Many surveying and mapping technicians work for firms that provide engineering, surveying, and mapping services on a contract basis. In local governments, these workers may be employed by highway or planning departments.

Although they spend some time in an office setting, surveying and mapping technicians may be outdoors in all types of weather while conducting fieldwork. They may need to travel long distances, which might include temporarily relocating near a survey site. Fieldwork may involve standing for long periods, walking considerable distances over harsh terrain, or climbing hills with heavy packs of equipment.

Work Schedules

Most surveying and mapping technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

How to Become a Surveying or Mapping Technician About this section

Learning to master the equipment is a big part of the training for surveying and mapping technicians.

Surveying and mapping technicians typically need a high school diploma. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have additional education or have experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or other technology.

Education

Surveying and mapping technicians typically need a high school diploma, but some employers prefer to hire candidates who have some additional education. Postsecondary training or experience in GIS technology also may be helpful.

High school students interested in working as a surveying or mapping technician should take classes in mathematics, such as algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. High school or postsecondary coursework in drafting, mechanical drawing, and computer science also may be useful.

Training

Surveying and mapping technicians often learn on the job under the supervision of lead staff, including surveyor or cartographers and photogrammetrists. For example, surveying technicians may begin with simple tasks, such as placing markers on land and entering data into computers, and eventually help with activities such as deciding where and how to measure the land. Mapping technicians receive instruction in how maps are created and stored in databases.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Optional certification may help surveying and mapping technicians demonstrate competency in a relevant specialty. For example, the National Society of Professional Surveyors offers the Certified Survey Technician credential, and the GIS Certification Institute offers a GIS Professional certification.

Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a valid driver’s license.

Advancement

Although licensing is not required for these workers, surveying technicians with many years of experience and formal training in surveying may be able to become licensed surveyors. Mapping technicians who have additional education or experience may be able to advance to cartography or photogrammetry positions.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Surveying and mapping technicians must be able to understand and follow instructions from other team members, such as when conducting fieldwork.

Decision-making skills. Surveying and mapping technicians must be able to exercise some independent judgment in the field or when selecting information to integrate into mapping and other materials.

Detail oriented. Surveying and mapping technicians must be precise and accurate in their work, such as when assisting with fieldwork or making calculations.

Physical stamina. Surveying and mapping technicians may work outdoors, often in rugged terrain. They must be able to carry equipment and to stand for much of the day.

Problem-solving skills. Surveying and mapping technicians must be able to identify and fix their equipment. They also must note potential problems with the day’s work plan.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for surveying and mapping technicians was $51,940 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,910, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,870.

In May 2024, the median annual wages for surveying and mapping technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most surveying and mapping technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of surveying and mapping technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 7,600 openings for surveying and mapping technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Increased demand for map information is expected to require surveying and mapping technicians to gather and prepare related data. Although drones and other advancements make some aspects of survey work more efficient, surveying and mapping technicians will continue to be needed to review and interpret the output of these technologies to ensure accuracy and completeness.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.

• Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information on certification in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), visit

GIS Certification Institute

For more information about career opportunities and the surveying technician certification program, visit

National Society of Professional Surveyors

O*NET

Surveying and Mapping Technicians