FACTS

1. Surveyors will continue to be needed to certify boundary lines, work on resource extraction projects, and review sites for construction. However, the use of drones and other technologies is expected to increase worker productivity and may therefore limit employment growth.
2. Modern surveys have shown it to be an accurate survey, within a couple of seconds of latitude.
3. Surveying determines the position of certain building or land in three dimensions before construction of any structure begins. It can be performed by licensed surveyors only since they are the only ones who have the proper surveying equipment.
4. Surveying is an essential part of mapping land boundaries, slopes, distances, features, enabling land development and accurate land dimensions.

STATS

• There are more than 45,000 professional surveyors in the U.S. who continue the critical role as “expert measurer” by utilizing advanced technology such as GPS, 3D laser scanning, robotic survey instruments, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to map property boundaries and surface features for design, development, mapping, and conveyance of real estate.
• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, you typically need a four-year college degree to become a professional land surveyor of any type, including construction surveyor. State licensure is also normally required for land surveyors, including for those specializing in construction.
• The BLS reports that as of 2019 median pay for surveyors is $63,420 annually. Median construction surveyor salary is slightly higher at $65,060 per year. Employment growth for professional surveyors is projected to be a modest 2 percent through 2029. Land and construction surveying is tied to fluctuating local and national economic conditions.
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in this field will grow 11% through 2026, which faster than the overall employment growth of 7% for all occupations in the country.
• Employment of surveyors is projected to grow 2 percent from 2019 to 2029, slower than the average for all occupations.