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All About Surveying Technicians

Job Description: Adjust and operate surveying instruments, such as the theodolite and electronic distance-measuring equipment, and compile notes, make sketches and enter data into computers.

Daily Life Of a Surveying Technician

  • Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.
  • Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.
  • Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, and electronic distance-measuring equipment.
  • Record survey measurements and descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, and inked tracings.
  • Run rods for benches and cross-section elevations.
  • Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.

What a Surveying Technician Should Know

When polled, Surveying Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Land Surveying Party Chief
  • Survey Party Chief
  • Transit Worker
  • Levelman
  • Transit Survey Worker

Surveying Technician Job Outlook

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 60,200 jobs in the United States for Surveying Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,400 new jobs for Surveying Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 7,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Surveying Technician are North Dakota, Utah, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Washington. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Surveying Technician

Surveying Technicians make between $27,360 and $74,110 a year.

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Surveying Technicians who work in California, Alaska, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Surveying Technicians in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $42,850
Alaska $59,850
Arizona $53,730
Arkansas $43,000
California $69,910
Colorado $52,360
Connecticut $58,360
Delaware $42,010
Florida $40,900
Georgia $42,180
Hawaii $48,300
Idaho $45,090
Illinois $55,410
Indiana $41,030
Iowa $48,590
Kansas $43,350
Kentucky $38,960
Louisiana $44,540
Maine $43,640
Maryland $49,820
Massachusetts $59,320
Michigan $38,070
Minnesota $55,170
Mississippi $43,030
Missouri $42,560
Montana $49,120
Nebraska $45,530
Nevada $51,400
New Hampshire $48,300
New Jersey $49,800
New Mexico $47,440
New York $52,470
North Carolina $43,800
North Dakota $51,200
Ohio $44,280
Oklahoma $45,870
Oregon $54,570
Pennsylvania $47,600
Rhode Island $53,980
South Carolina $38,250
South Dakota $39,180
Tennessee $46,020
Texas $42,740
Utah $51,090
Vermont $51,840
Virginia $47,570
Washington $51,100
West Virginia $42,750
Wisconsin $43,500
Wyoming $47,870

What Tools & Technology do Surveying Technicians Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Surveying Technicians may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Email software
  • Word processing software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Database software
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
  • ESRI ArcInfo
  • Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
  • ESRI ArcGIS software

How to Become a Surveying Technician

Education needed to be a Surveying Technician:

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What work experience do I need to become a Surveying Technician?

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Where do Surveying Technicians Work?

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Below are examples of industries where Surveying Technicians work:

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Similar Careers

Are you already one of the many Surveying Technician in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: Mike1979 Russia via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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