Surveyor

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Work Tasks

• Decide where property lines and boundaries are for land, air, and water
• Write descriptions of land for deeds, leases, and other legal papers
• Collect information and make maps and charts
• Use surveying equipment to measure distances and angles and use the Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Work for engineers, architects, and surveyors; the government, mining, oil, and gas companies, public utilities; and as self-employed
• Work with surveyor's chains, level rods, theodolites, field work plans, maps, charts, reports, computers, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

Salary, Size & Growth

• $56,500 average per year ($27.25 per hour)
• A medium occupation (44,000 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.5% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 2-year degree in survey technology and work experience as a survey technician
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree in survey engineering or surveying
• Skills/Courses: College courses include algebra, geometry, trigonometry, drafting, mechanical drawing, and computer science.
• Certification/Licensing: A license is usually needed, after a degree, 2 or more years experience, and passing tests.