Surveying and Mapping Technician Salary in Houston, TX
Surveying and Mapping Technicians in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $49,570 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $42,009 take-home, or $3,501 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median surveying and mapping technician salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,768
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,073
- Medicare (1.45%)$719
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,009
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Surveying and Mapping Technician pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,040 | $17.33 | $31,138 | $2,595 |
| 25th percentile | $44,500 | $21.39 | $37,936 | $3,161 |
| Median (50th) | $49,570 | $23.83 | $42,009 | $3,501 |
| 75th percentile | $64,860 | $31.18 | $54,295 | $4,525 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,800 | $37.40 | $63,562 | $5,297 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,570 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median surveying and mapping technician's $42,009 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,593 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Houston, TX has 2.2× the national concentration of surveying and mapping technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for surveying and mapping technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #1 of 1 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $49,570 | $42,009 | $42,593 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 1 metros →
About the job: surveying and mapping technicians
Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.8% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surveying and mapping technician make in Houston, TX?
The median surveying and mapping technician salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $49,570 a year, or about $23.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,500 and $64,860.
What is a surveying and mapping technician’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $49,570 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $42,009 a year ($3,501 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a surveying and mapping technician?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $54,240. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,593 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #1 of 1 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a surveying and mapping technician afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median surveying and mapping technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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