Professional Land Surveyor Average Salary & Hourly Rate in 2025
A professional land surveyor collects field data using surveying equipment and software, conducting surveys to measure and map land features accurately. They analyze project requirements, perform boundary calculations, and suggest innovative strategies to enhance efficiency.
In 2025, the average annual salary for a professional land surveyor in the United States is $77,990. The salary is contingent upon a variety of factors, including the scale of the company, industry, location, education, and experience.
An Overview of Professional Land Surveyor Salaries
The average salary for the job title a professional land surveyor in the United States is $77,990 per year, as of February 2025, which breaks down to approximately $37 per hour or $6,499 per month.
According to the recent data from Salary.com, professional land surveyors typically earn between $58,121 and $106,838, with entry-level and experienced managers typically earning between these amounts.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $58,121 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,590 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $77,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,090 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,838 |
Professional Land Surveyors: Hourly, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Breakdown
The professional land surveyor salary can be broken down into hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual figures. As of February 2025, the national average salary for professional land surveyors in the United States is approximately $37 per hour, or $6,499 per month.
- Average Hourly Wage: $37
- Average Weekly Wage: $1,500
- Average Monthly Wage: $6,499
- Average Annual Salary: $77,990
The salary of professional land surveyors may vary depending on factors such as location, level of education, market trend, business size, and experience, as is the case with several other occupations. The professional land surveyor's overall compensation can be significantly impacted by these variables.
How Experience Impacts Professional Land Surveyor Salaries
The level of experience significantly impacts the professional land surveyor salary in the United States. As seen below, the salary differences between various experience levels are notable.
The current data indicates that the salary difference between an entry-level land surveyor and an expert-level land surveyor is roughly $11,166. The average annual income for individuals with the highest level of experience could amount to $84,974.
- Entry-level Professional Land Surveyor: $73,808
- Intermediate-level Professional Land Surveyor: $74,115
- Senior-level Professional Land Surveyor: $78,302
- Specialist-level Professional Land Surveyor: $84,529
- Expert-level Professional Land Surveyor: $84,974
State-by-State Breakdown of Average Salaries for Professional Land Surveyor
The average pay for professional land surveyors differs by state, driven by factors such as cost of living, local economies, and industry demand. The District of Columbia provides the highest average yearly income for professional land surveyors in the United States, amounting to $86,790 per year.
While California holds the second spot with an average salary of $85,990 per year, New Jersey follows closely with $85,490 per year.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $84,890 |
| Alabama | $71,690 |
| Arkansas | $71,090 |
| Arizona | $75,990 |
| California | $85,990 |
| Colorado | $79,590 |
| Connecticut | $83,790 |
| District of Columbia | $86,790 |
| Delaware | $79,190 |
| Florida | $74,090 |
| Georgia | $75,390 |
| Hawaii | $81,490 |
| Iowa | $74,590 |
| Idaho | $72,790 |
| Illinois | $79,790 |
| Indiana | $75,690 |
| Kansas | $74,290 |
| Kentucky | $73,390 |
| Louisiana | $74,190 |
| Massachusetts | $84,890 |
| Maryland | $80,390 |
| Maine | $75,890 |
| Michigan | $76,990 |
| Minnesota | $79,790 |
| Missouri | $74,290 |
| Mississippi | $69,590 |
| Montana | $72,890 |
| North Carolina | $74,890 |
| North Dakota | $77,190 |
| Nebraska | $73,490 |
| New Hampshire | $79,290 |
| New Jersey | $85,490 |
| New Mexico | $71,890 |
| Nevada | $78,290 |
| New York | $83,090 |
| Ohio | $76,290 |
| Oklahoma | $72,190 |
| Oregon | $79,190 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,790 |
| Rhode Island | $81,390 |
| South Carolina | $73,590 |
| South Dakota | $70,090 |
| Tennessee | $72,190 |
| Texas | $76,390 |
| Utah | $74,190 |
| Virginia | $78,190 |
| Vermont | $76,490 |
| Washington | $84,090 |
| Wisconsin | $77,090 |
| West Virginia | $70,190 |
| Wyoming | $74,790 |
Professional Land Surveyors: Top Earning Cities Revealed
Indicates that the three cities with the highest salaries for professional land surveyors in the United States are San Jose, CA ($97,890), San Francisco, CA ($97,490), and Oakland, CA ($95,090).
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $97,890 |
| San Francisco, CA | $97,490 |
| Oakland, CA | $95,090 |
| New York, NY | $91,090 |
| Queens Village, NY | $95,090 |
| Paramus, NJ | $89,790 |
Explore Professional Land Surveyors Benefits and Perks Beyond Salary
In addition to the base salary, professional land surveyors may receive other benefits and incentives from their employers. indicates that the overall salary for professional land surveyors includes benefits including healthcare, time off, and social security.
- Social Security: $5,974
- 401K/403B: $3,280
- Disability: $1,562
- Healthcare: $8,352
- Pension: $4,217
- Time Off: $9,611
Professional Land Surveyor Job Description: Roles and Responsibilities
A land surveyor collects field data using surveying equipment and software to measure and map land features accurately. They also analyze reports, maps, and engineering plans to assess project needs, conduct boundary computations, and contribute to project strategy.
According to BLS, other duties of a professional land surveyor include:
- Examine legal documents, survey data, and land titles to acquire information regarding property borders in designated survey areas before proceeding with fieldwork.
- Quantify distances and angles between places on, above, and beneath the Earth's surface, ensuring accurate measurements that respond to project requirements.
- Navigate to sites and utilize established reference points to ascertain the precise location of significant elements, considering both natural and human-made landmarks.
- Utilize handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) devices alongside robotic total stations, which are equipment that automate the positioning of a telescope.
- Document the outcomes of the survey and validate the precision of the data.
- Prepare or oversee the preparation of plots, maps, and reports.
- Work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to show spatial information through visualizations in maps, reports, and charts.
- Overlay aerial or satellite imagery with GIS data, such as regional tree density, and employ Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools to generate digital maps.
When and How to Ask for a Raise as a Professional Land Surveyor
According to the , land surveyors are responsible for defining land boundaries for construction, real estate, and engineering operations and must verify measurements for accuracy. Your request for a salary raises should correspond with significant milestones in your career, including:
- Establish a strong educational foundation: Surveyors generally require a bachelor's degree in land surveying or a related discipline. Certain colleges and universities have programs that equip students to attain licensure as surveyors. Employers may, in certain instances, recruit applicants possessing an associate’s degree along with additional training.
- Obtain additional certification or licensure: Completing certifications such as a Professional Surveyor License (PS) or state-specific credentials can demonstrate your expertise and justify a higher salary. Prospective licensed surveyors must get a bachelor's degree from an authorized program to qualify for the licensure examination. Candidates generally undergo several years of training under the supervision of a qualified surveyor to attain licensure.
- Increase responsibilities: If your role has expanded to include managing junior surveyors, leading projects, or utilizing advanced surveying technology, this strengthens your case for a salary increase. In connection to this, successfully delivering accurate survey data for large-scale projects showcases your value, making it an ideal time to negotiate a raise.
- Request a formal meeting: Plan a meeting with your superiors and employers. This adds a more professional and serious manner to the talk, demonstrating that you have prepared sufficiently to merit a raise.
- Present your case with supporting data: Research the average salary for professional land surveyors in your area. As of February 2025, the average salary is $77,990 per year. Use this data to support your request and showcase how your work adds value.
Why Does a Professional Land Surveyor Make So Much?
Professional land surveyors earn significantly high salaries owing to their specialized expertise, licensing qualifications, and essential contributions to building and real estate. Their proficiency guarantees precision in land development, averting costly errors, and supporting developing infrastructural demands.
Therefore, this requires a professional land surveyor to gain the necessary abilities to hone their expertise. According to BLS, these are the important qualities that a surveyor should have:
- Communication skills
- Detail oriented
- Physical stamina
- Problem-solving skills
- Time-management skills
- Visualization skills
Certain skills could also increase the earning potential of a professional land surveyor. According to our Real-time Job Posting Salary Data, professional land surveyors with drawing skills can earn up to 16.41% more than those without these skills. Also, having Computer-Aided Design (CAD) skills can lead to a 15.51% salary increase.
Other high compensation skills include:
- Drawing: +16.41% salary increase
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD): +15.51% salary increase
- 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD): +12.23% salary increase
- Land Management: +11.39% salary increase
- Civil Engineering: +9.17% salary increase
- Data Collection: +6.89% salary increase
- Land Surveying: +4.67% salary increase
- GPS/GNSS: +4.41% salary increase
The Future of Professional Land Surveyor: Job Outlook and Career Trends
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the employment outlook for professional land surveyors is anticipated to increase by 6% from 2023 to 2033. This equates to approximately 4,000 anticipated job opportunities annually, on average, over the decade. A significant number of these vacancies are expected to occur from the need to substitute employees who transfer to alternative professions or leave their jobs, such as through retirement.
The state and performance of businesses in the United States are the primary determinants of the growth in employment for professional land surveyors. Companies are anticipated to generate an increasing number of employment opportunities as they expand. In addition to this, there will be an increase in the demand for professional land surveyors.
