How much does a surveying and mapping technician make?
The median surveying and mapping technician in the United States earns $54,240 per year, about $26.08 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all surveying and mapping technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-3031.
Surveying and mapping technician salary range
Pay for surveying and mapping technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,520 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $81,630. The average (mean) wage of $58,000 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,520 | $18.04 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,430 | $21.84 | |
| Median (50th) | $54,240 | $26.08 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $66,700 | $32.07 | |
| 90th percentile | $81,630 | $39.24 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for surveying and mapping technicians (SOC 17-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Surveying and mapping technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Surveying and mapping technicians earn the most in California at $78,110 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $43,740. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $78,110 | 3,340 |
| Alaska | $76,970 | 300 |
| Minnesota | $73,190 | 1,060 |
| Washington | $62,720 | 1,030 |
| Maryland | $61,600 | 470 |
| North Dakota | $60,870 | 160 |
| New Jersey | $60,720 | 750 |
| Montana | $60,330 | 430 |
| Ohio | $60,330 | 1,350 |
| Rhode Island | $60,320 | 110 |
| Utah | $59,600 | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $59,080 | 660 |
| Iowa | $58,950 | 390 |
| Connecticut | $58,900 | 380 |
| Nevada | $58,790 | 680 |
| Massachusetts | $58,730 | 640 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,270 | 1,340 |
| Wyoming | $58,220 | 150 |
| Colorado | $57,890 | 2,340 |
| Illinois | $57,470 | 1,110 |
| New York | $57,360 | 2,540 |
| New Hampshire | $57,290 | 260 |
| Delaware | $57,130 | 180 |
| Virginia | $56,760 | 2,440 |
| Maine | $56,470 | 220 |
| Vermont | $56,460 | 40 |
| Indiana | $56,440 | 1,060 |
| New Mexico | $56,210 | 610 |
| Oregon | $55,790 | 1,280 |
| Hawaii | $55,580 | 140 |
| Arizona | $54,080 | 700 |
| North Carolina | $53,160 | 4,100 |
| Idaho | $52,630 | 450 |
| Missouri | $51,700 | 720 |
| Kansas | $50,900 | 730 |
| Tennessee | $50,370 | 1,340 |
| Michigan | $50,340 | 690 |
| South Dakota | $50,050 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $49,440 | 930 |
| Georgia | $48,810 | 1,890 |
| West Virginia | $48,530 | 370 |
| Nebraska | $48,080 | 770 |
| Florida | $48,040 | 4,810 |
| Texas | $47,680 | 8,720 |
| Mississippi | $47,320 | 550 |
| Oklahoma | $46,760 | 810 |
| Alabama | $46,450 | 1,320 |
| Arkansas | $46,370 | 810 |
| Kentucky | $46,050 | 920 |
| South Carolina | $43,740 | 1,420 |
State median wages for surveying and mapping technicians (SOC 17-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for surveying and mapping technicians
The BLS projects employment of surveying and mapping technicians to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 58,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 62,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,900 openings a year for surveying and mapping technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a surveying and mapping technician
The typical entry-level education for surveying and mapping technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a surveying and mapping technician earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $78,110) and the lowest (South Carolina, $43,740) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 58,010 people work as surveying and mapping technicians in the United States. At $54,240 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Surveying and mapping technician salary FAQ
How much does a surveying and mapping technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a surveying and mapping technician is $26.08. The middle half of surveying and mapping technicians earn between $21.84 and $32.07 per hour.
What is the highest surveying and mapping technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of surveying and mapping technicians earn more than $81,630 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a surveying and mapping technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a surveying and mapping technician is $54,240. The average (mean) wage of $58,000 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a surveying and mapping technician a well paid job?
At $54,240 a year, a surveying and mapping technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 58,010 people work as surveying and mapping technicians in the United States.
Which state pays surveying and mapping technicians the most?
California has the highest median salary for surveying and mapping technicians at $78,110 a year. Alaska ($76,970) and Minnesota ($73,190) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a surveying and mapping technician a good career?
Employment of surveying and mapping technicians is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a surveying and mapping technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for surveying and mapping technicians as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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