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Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Summary

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pv4KDgx95U.
Quick Facts: Surveying and Mapping Technicians
2023 Median Pay $48,940 per year
$23.53 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2023 57,400
Job Outlook, 2023-33 6% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2023-33 3,200

What Surveying and Mapping Technicians Do

Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth's surface.

Work Environment

Although they spend some time in an office setting, surveying and mapping technicians may work outdoors in all types of weather to conduct fieldwork. 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

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.

Pay

The median annual wage for surveying and mapping technicians was $48,940 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

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.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for surveying and mapping technicians.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of surveying and mapping technicians with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about surveying and mapping technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Surveying and Mapping Technicians Do About this section

Surveying and mapping technicians
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:

Architectural, engineering, and related services 61%
Local government, excluding education and hospitals 11
Other support services 6
Utilities 4
Self-employed workers 2

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

Surveying and mapping technicians
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

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Median annual wages, May 2023

Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians

$63,100

Surveying and mapping technicians

$48,940

Total, all occupations

$48,060

 

The median annual wage for surveying and mapping technicians was $48,940 in May 2023. 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 $35,080, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,150.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for surveying and mapping technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Utilities $74,400
Local government, excluding education and hospitals 58,190
Architectural, engineering, and related services 47,910
Other support services 45,810

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

Job Outlook About this section

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33

Surveying and mapping technicians

6%

Total, all occupations

4%

Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians

2%

 

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.

Employment projections data for surveying and mapping technicians, 2023-33
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2023 Projected Employment, 2033 Change, 2023-33 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Surveying and mapping technicians

17-3031 57,400 60,600 6 3,200 Get data

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(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

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.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of surveying and mapping technicians.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2023 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Architects Architects

Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.

Bachelor's degree $93,310
Cartographers and photogrammetrists Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information to create and update maps and related products.

Bachelor's degree $76,210
Drafters Drafters

Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings.

Associate's degree $62,530
Landscape architects Landscape Architects

Landscape architects design parks and other outdoor spaces.

Bachelor's degree $79,320
Surveyors Surveyors

Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries.

Bachelor's degree $68,540
Civil engineering technicians Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Civil engineering technologists and technicians help civil engineers plan, design, and build infrastructure and development projects.

Associate's degree $60,700
Construction and building inspectors Construction and Building Inspectors

Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.

High school diploma or equivalent $67,700
Geological and petroleum technicians Geological and Hydrologic Technicians

Geological and hydrologic technicians support scientists and engineers in exploring, extracting, and monitoring natural resources.

Associate's degree $53,440
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Surveying and Mapping Technicians,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/surveying-and-mapping-technicians.htm (visited December 07, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Thursday, August 29, 2024

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2023

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2023-33

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.

Employment Change, 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.