2027 How to Become a Surveyor: Education, Salary, and Job Outlook

Audited and Verified:

Imed Bouchrika, PhD

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

What credentials do you need to become a surveyor?

To become a professional surveyor in the United States, you generally need a combination of surveying-related education, supervised field experience, exam completion, and state licensure. The exact rules are set by each state, so your first step should be checking the licensing board requirements where you plan to work.

The most common pathway includes the following credentials and milestones:

  • Relevant college education: Many states expect an associate or bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering, or a closely related field. Some states require a specific four-year bachelor's degree curriculum approved for licensure, while others accept a two-year degree if it is paired with additional qualifying work experience.
  • Supervised professional experience: Before independent licensure, aspiring surveyors usually work under a licensed professional surveyor. This period, often associated with surveyor-in-training or land surveyor-in-training (LSIT) status, helps you learn boundary research, field procedures, documentation standards, and professional judgment.
  • Licensing exams: Licensure is required nationwide for surveyors who sign legal survey documents. Candidates typically pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam first, complete the required supervised experience, and then pass the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam. Some states also require state-specific exams, background checks, or additional documentation.
  • State-specific compliance: Surveying is tied closely to property law, public records, and local practice standards. Requirements can differ significantly by state, so do not assume that one state’s pathway will transfer automatically to another.
  • Continuing education: A master's degree is not commonly required for entry into the profession, but ongoing learning is important. Surveyors must keep up with changing technology, legal standards, mapping systems, and continuing education rules required to maintain licensure.

If you are still choosing an academic path, compare surveying, geomatics, civil engineering, geography, and GIS-related programs with broader lists of the top college majors for the future. The best choice is usually the program that matches your state’s licensing rules and gives you access to field training, CAD/GIS coursework, and professional surveyor mentorship.

Table of contents

What skills do you need to have as a surveyor?

Surveying requires more than the ability to operate instruments. A good surveyor combines measurement accuracy, legal awareness, data analysis, communication, and sound judgment in the field. Small errors can affect construction schedules, property boundaries, permitting, and legal disputes, so both technical and professional skills matter.

Core technical skills

  • Survey equipment proficiency: Surveyors need to use GPS, theodolites, AutoCAD, and related tools accurately. As technology changes, they must also learn new field instruments, software workflows, and data collection methods.
  • Knowledge of land surveying methods: Boundary identification, topographic surveys, construction staking, control surveys, and data validation are central to producing reliable work.
  • Math and spatial reasoning: Geometry, trigonometry, coordinate systems, and map interpretation help surveyors understand measurements and detect inconsistencies.
  • CAD and mapping software skills: Many surveying jobs require turning field data into usable drawings, plats, site plans, or digital models.
  • Understanding of construction regulations: Surveyors often work alongside engineers, contractors, developers, and public agencies, so familiarity with building codes, right-of-way rules, and project specifications is valuable.

Professional and field skills

  • Attention to detail: Accuracy is essential because a missed record, incorrect point, or poorly documented observation can create legal or financial problems.
  • Analytical judgment: Surveyors often reconcile field evidence, old records, legal descriptions, and current site conditions. The answer is not always obvious from one data source.
  • Project organization: Strong documentation, file management, scheduling, and quality control help surveyors manage multiple jobs without losing critical information.
  • Communication: Surveyors must explain technical findings to clients, engineers, architects, attorneys, contractors, and regulatory officials in clear, defensible language.
  • Collaboration: Many projects require close coordination with design teams, construction crews, public agencies, and property owners.
  • Physical endurance: Fieldwork may involve walking long distances, carrying equipment, working in heat or cold, and navigating uneven terrain.
There are 7,200,000 people unemployed in the U.S. as of 2025.

What is the typical career progression for a surveyor?

A surveyor’s career usually progresses from field support work to crew leadership and, for those who complete licensure, independent professional practice. The timeline varies by state, employer, education level, exam progress, and the amount of supervised experience required.

  • Entry-level field role: Many people begin as survey technicians or rodmen. They assist licensed surveyors by carrying equipment, setting points, collecting data, taking notes, and learning field procedures. This phase usually lasts two to four years and builds familiarity with equipment, site safety, boundary concepts, and field documentation.
  • Party chief or crew leader: With experience, surveyors may lead a field crew, plan daily fieldwork, check measurements, communicate with office staff, and troubleshoot site conditions. Many reach this level after passing the Fundamentals of Surveying exam, although experience alone can sometimes support advancement depending on the employer and jurisdiction.
  • Professional Land Surveyor (PLS): Achieving Professional Land Surveyor licensure is the traditional career milestone. It typically requires the Principles and Practice of Surveying exam and relevant fieldwork experience. This credential allows independent practice and signing of legal survey documents. Median salaries were reported around $72,740, though some data indicate averages nearing $88,679.
  • Specialist surveyor: Some professionals move into utility, building, construction, environmental, hydrographic, or geospatial surveying. These roles may require additional training and can be attractive for surveyors who want a more focused technical niche.
  • Office-based technical roles: Others shift toward survey analysis, CAD drafting, GIS work, data processing, or quality control. This can be a good route for surveyors who prefer technical interpretation and documentation over extensive fieldwork.
  • Management or ownership: Licensed surveyors may become project managers, department leaders, partners, or firm owners. These roles involve client relationships, budgets, staffing, contracts, and risk management in addition to technical oversight.

What Professionals Who Work as a Surveyor Say About Their Careers

  • : "Choosing a career as a surveyor has given me a remarkable level of job stability. The demand for precise land assessments remains steady, and the salary potential is quite competitive compared to other technical fields. The ongoing need for surveys across different sectors ensures a consistent workload and financial security. —Blaze"
  • : "Working in surveying has presented me with unique challenges that keep each project exciting, from rugged outdoor environments to high-tech mapping systems. It's a field where every day brings a new problem to solve, combining physical work with cutting-edge technology. This dynamic nature of the job makes it truly rewarding. —Ella"
  • : "My journey in surveying has been defined by continual professional growth. The industry offers comprehensive training programs and clear advancement paths, which helped me develop my skills and move into leadership roles. It's gratifying to see how dedicated expertise in this field translates into meaningful career progression. —Kimberly"

Other Things You Should Know About Becoming a Surveyor

What are the educational requirements for becoming a surveyor in 2027?

To become a surveyor in 2027, earn a bachelor’s degree in surveying, geomatics, or a related field. Some positions might require state licensure or certification. Coursework in mathematics, computer science, and cartography is commonly essential.

Do surveyors need a Professional Land Surveyor license to sign property boundary maps?

Yes. In most states, only a licensed Professional Land Surveyor can certify or sign boundary surveys and plats. Licensure usually requires a four-year degree, passage of the FS exam, several years of supervised experience, and then the PS exam through the state licensing board.

What certifications are required to practice as a surveyor in 2027?

In 2027, surveyors need licenses from state-level boards, typically requiring passage of exams like the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) and Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS). Specific certification may vary by state, including continuing education requirements.