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Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $54,240 Median per year · $26.08/hr Most earn $37,520–$81,630

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.
  • Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.
  • Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.
  • Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs.
  • Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.
  • Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 6,900 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Engineering services29.1%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals11.3%
  • Other support services8.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

This is a hands-on technical job you can start after a certificate or apprenticeship, but most people spend about 2 to 4 years gaining field experience first. Many start as field helpers and grow into technician work as they learn the equipment and software.

  1. Certificate in surveying or geomatics technology

    1-2 years

    You learn land measurement, GPS and total station use, mapping software, and basic math and drafting, which gives you the core skills employers look for.

  2. Survey Field Assistant or Survey Technician trainee

    1-2 years

    You work on survey crews under experienced people, learning to set up equipment, record field notes, and check measurements, which builds the hands-on experience this job expects.

  3. Surveying and Mapping Technician

    2-4 years total, including the steps above

    You collect survey data and turn it into maps and drawings under the direction of a surveyor, engineer, or cartographer.

Where it can lead

  1. Cartographer

    3-6 months in a technician role of experience first

    You focus more on designing maps and interpreting aerial and satellite imagery, usually with more training in mapping and imaging methods.

  2. GIS Technologist

    1-2 years of experience first

    You build and manage geographic information system databases and analysis tools, which usually calls for more formal education such as a bachelor's degree.

  3. Surveyor

    1-2 years of experience first

    You take on more responsibility for planning and legally defining property boundaries; this role usually requires additional education and, in most places, a state license.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take geometry, trigonometry, and any drafting or CAD classesMeasurement, angles, and drawing skills are used every day in surveying and mapping.
  • Join a robotics, engineering, or science clubTeamwork and hands-on building help you learn how to use tools and solve practical problems.
  • Try a summer job on a construction or landscaping crewYou will see how land is measured and prepared, and you may meet people who work in surveying.
  • Explore free mapping apps and online mapsPracticing with map tools helps you understand coordinates, scale, and layers before you study them formally.
  • Ask a surveyor, engineer, or GIS worker for a short job shadow or informational interviewHearing about the work from someone in the field helps you decide if it fits you.

In college

  • Enroll in a surveying, geomatics, or GIS certificate or associate programThis is the most common training route for this job and teaches field methods and mapping software.
  • Take math, physics, and computer science coursesStrong math and basic programming help with calculations, data, and mapping software.
  • Seek a part-time or summer field helper job with a survey crew or engineering firmField time is what employers look for most and it counts toward the experience this job usually requires.
  • Learn GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS through a class or free tutorialsMany mapping jobs rely on these programs, and listing them on a resume helps you stand out.
  • Join a student chapter of a professional group like a local surveying or GIS associationMeeting working professionals can lead to mentoring, job leads, and networking.

Tips for getting started

  • Get comfortable with GPS tools, mapping software, and spreadsheets early, since most survey and mapping jobs use them every day.
  • Ask a local surveying or engineering firm about summer or part-time field helper jobs, even if they are unpaid or low-paid at first, because real field time counts most for this career.
  • Keep a simple portfolio of maps or drawings you made in class or for fun, and bring it to job interviews.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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