Surveyor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Surveyors Make?
Surveyors earn a median annual salary of $72,740 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $43,680 at the 10th percentile to $116,330 at the 90th percentile — a range of $72,650. The highest-paying state is California at $103,790.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,680 |
| 25th percentile | $53,590 |
| Median (50th) | $72,740 |
| 75th percentile | $94,550 |
| 90th percentile | $116,330 |
Surveyor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $103,790 |
| New Jersey | $93,260 |
| Washington | $88,340 |
| Oregon | $87,730 |
| South Dakota | $86,260 |
| Alaska | $85,520 |
| Delaware | $85,350 |
| Massachusetts | $84,260 |
| Nevada | $82,990 |
| Indiana | $81,010 |
| Maine | $80,740 |
| Hawaii | $79,730 |
| Montana | $79,230 |
| New York | $79,050 |
| North Dakota | $78,750 |
| Arizona | $78,480 |
| Illinois | $77,540 |
| Wyoming | $77,320 |
| Colorado | $77,050 |
| Wisconsin | $76,790 |
| Connecticut | $76,760 |
| Iowa | $76,720 |
| New Mexico | $75,190 |
| Tennessee | $74,690 |
| Idaho | $74,270 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,680 |
| Virginia | $73,380 |
| Kansas | $70,820 |
| Michigan | $69,990 |
| Vermont | $68,510 |
| North Carolina | $67,870 |
| Kentucky | $67,060 |
| New Hampshire | $66,750 |
| Nebraska | $66,020 |
| Ohio | $65,970 |
| Utah | $64,260 |
| Alabama | $63,700 |
| South Carolina | $62,160 |
| Florida | $62,100 |
| Maryland | $62,100 |
| West Virginia | $61,610 |
| Oklahoma | $60,870 |
| Georgia | $60,410 |
| Louisiana | $60,020 |
| District of Columbia | $59,860 |
| Missouri | $59,500 |
| Texas | $59,450 |
| Mississippi | $57,370 |
| Arkansas | $57,260 |
| Rhode Island | $52,000 |
| Minnesota | $46,610 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Surveyors
Surveyor Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$43,680 – $53,590 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$72,740 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$94,550 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $116,330+ |
How to Earn More as a Surveyor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Surveyors in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA earn $124,990 — $52,250 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($94,550) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Surveyor Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Surveyorthis career | $72,740 |
| Construction Manager | $106,980 |
| Government Property Inspectors and Investigator | $78,420 |
| Cost Estimator | $77,070 |
| Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate | N/A |
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SOC: 17-1022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.