Surveyor Salary in Riverside, CA
Surveyors in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median $100,510 a year — 33% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,114 take-home, or $6,093 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median surveyor salary in Riverside, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,282
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,232
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,457
- California income tax$5,118
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,307
- Take-home pay$73,114
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Surveyor pay by experience in Riverside, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,960 | $26.90 | $45,009 | $3,751 |
| 25th percentile | $73,710 | $35.44 | $57,042 | $4,754 |
| Median (50th) | $100,510 | $48.32 | $73,114 | $6,093 |
| 75th percentile | $133,270 | $64.07 | $92,459 | $7,705 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,070 | $75.03 | $105,626 | $8,802 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $100,510 buys in Riverside, CA
Prices in Riverside, CA are 6.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.29× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median surveyor's $73,114 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,689 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Surveyor jobs are about as common in Riverside, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for surveyors, adjusted for cost of living
Riverside, CA ranks #2 of 23 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $125,060 | $87,718 | $75,872 |
| 2 | Riverside, CA | $100,510 | $73,114 | $68,689 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $94,970 | $71,113 | $65,683 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $91,750 | $68,661 | $65,502 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $101,950 | $73,975 | $65,138 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $76,710 | $60,243 | $61,885 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $79,500 | $62,980 | $60,958 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $79,040 | $62,008 | $60,464 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 23 metros →
Surveyor salaries elsewhere in California
- San Francisco, CA — $125,060
- Los Angeles, CA — $101,950
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surveyor make in Riverside, CA?
The median surveyor salary in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $100,510 a year, or about $48.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $73,710 and $133,270.
What is a surveyor’s take-home pay in Riverside, CA?
On the median $100,510 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $73,114 a year ($6,093 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,424 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a surveyor?
Pay here is 33% above the national median of $75,440. Local prices are 6.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,689 would in a typical U.S. city. Riverside, CA ranks #2 of 23 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a surveyor afford rent in Riverside, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Riverside, CA is $1,777 a month ($2,201 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median surveyor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Riverside, CA
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $130,940
- Civil Engineer — $115,120
- Electrical Engineer — $109,990
- Mechanical Engineer — $104,910
- Industrial Engineer — $101,700
- Engineers, All Other — $100,110
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $80,710
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $79,370
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $70,580