Surveying and Mapping Technician Salary
Surveying and Mapping Technicians earn a median $54,240 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations
What surveying and mapping technicians do
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)
- Openings per year
- 6,900
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of surveying and mapping technicians is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Surveying and Mapping Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,329
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,363
- Medicare (1.45%)$786
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$45,762
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,520 | $18.04 | $32,327 |
| 25th percentile | $45,430 | $21.84 | $38,683 |
| Median (50th) | $54,240 | $26.08 | $45,762 |
| 75th percentile | $66,700 | $32.07 | $55,753 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,630 | $39.25 | $66,257 |
Best cities for surveying and mapping technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $49,570 | $42,009 | $42,593 | 2,650 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Houston, TX — $49,570
Surveying and Mapping Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $78,110 | +8.7% | $59,728 | $48,000 – $119,270 | 3,340 |
| Alaska | $76,970 | +5.0% | $62,978 | $59,800 – $103,550 | 300 |
| Minnesota | $73,190 | +10.8% | $56,866 | $51,560 – $95,050 | 1,060 |
| Washington | $62,720 | +1.7% | $52,576 | $46,160 – $88,830 | 1,030 |
| Maryland | $61,600 | −4.4% | $49,113 | $42,530 – $85,800 | 470 |
| North Dakota | $60,870 | +8.4% | $51,089 | $43,360 – $101,380 | 160 |
| New Jersey | $60,720 | −0.7% | $49,161 | $42,830 – $95,820 | 750 |
| Montana | $60,330 | +22.3% | $48,576 | $46,430 – $79,690 | 430 |
| Ohio | $60,330 | +1.6% | $49,778 | $44,130 – $79,930 | 1,350 |
| Rhode Island | $60,320 | +19.4% | $49,002 | $46,160 – $92,980 | 110 |
| Utah | $59,600 | +22.3% | $48,353 | $38,110 – $83,430 | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $59,080 | +7.9% | $47,832 | $39,340 – $77,690 | 660 |
| Iowa | $58,950 | +10.8% | $47,958 | $47,840 – $77,530 | 390 |
| Connecticut | $58,900 | −2.1% | $47,781 | $42,730 – $94,660 | 380 |
| Nevada | $58,790 | −22.3% | $49,418 | $46,960 – $103,420 | 680 |
| Massachusetts | $58,730 | +17.2% | $46,653 | $46,370 – $99,990 | 640 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,270 | +3.3% | $47,211 | $39,580 – $79,660 | 1,340 |
| Wyoming | $58,220 | −5.8% | $48,960 | $43,880 – $74,890 | 150 |
| Colorado | $57,890 | −0.8% | $46,856 | $45,620 – $79,660 | 2,340 |
| Illinois | $57,470 | −1.1% | $45,657 | $42,560 – $81,440 | 1,110 |
| New York | $57,360 | −0.9% | $45,768 | $44,830 – $81,990 | 2,540 |
| New Hampshire | $57,290 | −3.2% | $48,213 | $45,590 – $79,070 | 260 |
| Delaware | $57,130 | +16.9% | $45,590 | $43,700 – $79,190 | 180 |
| Virginia | $56,760 | +15.7% | $45,337 | $37,850 – $85,010 | 2,440 |
| Maine | $56,470 | +9.9% | $44,924 | $47,990 – $80,860 | 220 |
| Vermont | $56,460 | +7.8% | $46,088 | $49,350 – $71,740 | 40 |
| Indiana | $56,440 | +3.1% | $45,894 | $37,470 – $75,110 | 1,060 |
| New Mexico | $56,210 | +0.8% | $45,869 | $37,220 – $81,410 | 610 |
| Oregon | $55,790 | −3.8% | $42,955 | $44,330 – $78,960 | 1,280 |
| Hawaii | $55,580 | +7.4% | $44,145 | $45,600 – $73,200 | 140 |
| Arizona | $54,080 | −0.6% | $44,490 | $39,860 – $80,840 | 700 |
| North Carolina | $53,160 | +6.8% | $43,282 | $37,710 – $76,420 | 4,100 |
| Idaho | $52,630 | +11.7% | $42,787 | $39,500 – $72,040 | 450 |
| Missouri | $51,700 | +2.8% | $42,228 | $36,260 – $77,410 | 720 |
| Kansas | $50,900 | +2.1% | $41,038 | $42,870 – $80,290 | 730 |
| Tennessee | $50,370 | +4.2% | $42,652 | $36,620 – $74,510 | 1,340 |
| Michigan | $50,340 | −0.6% | $40,739 | $40,440 – $78,650 | 690 |
| South Dakota | $50,050 | +2.1% | $42,395 | $39,680 – $61,740 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $49,440 | +3.9% | $40,808 | $36,300 – $103,040 | 930 |
| Georgia | $48,810 | +13.0% | $39,488 | $34,900 – $83,320 | 1,890 |
| West Virginia | $48,530 | +6.4% | $39,718 | $29,130 – $73,080 | 370 |
| Nebraska | $48,080 | +0.3% | $39,504 | $38,910 – $66,580 | 770 |
| Florida | $48,040 | +2.8% | $40,780 | $36,640 – $73,020 | 4,810 |
| Texas | $47,680 | −2.6% | $40,491 | $36,120 – $77,200 | 8,720 |
| Mississippi | $47,320 | +4.0% | $39,041 | $31,200 – $76,590 | 550 |
| Oklahoma | $46,760 | +4.6% | $38,193 | $36,320 – $75,970 | 810 |
| Alabama | $46,450 | +0.4% | $37,445 | $31,370 – $80,140 | 1,320 |
| Arkansas | $46,370 | −2.5% | $37,843 | $36,770 – $71,040 | 810 |
| Kentucky | $46,050 | +0.4% | $37,687 | $37,070 – $72,020 | 920 |
| South Carolina | $43,740 | +0.8% | $35,858 | $36,500 – $64,660 | 1,420 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Engineering Technologist and Technician | $59,920 | Associate's degree | +3.1% |
| Drafters, All Other | $63,520 | Associate's degree | -7.3% |
| Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician | $64,950 | Associate's degree | +3.2% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician | $66,120 | Associate's degree | +3.1% |
| Architectural and Civil Drafter | $66,150 | Associate's degree | +5.2% |
| Calibration Technologist and Technician | $67,820 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Mechanical Drafter | $71,550 | Associate's degree | -6.0% |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician | $73,900 | Associate's degree | +2.6% |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician | $74,510 | Associate's degree | +1.3% |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafter | $76,870 | Associate's degree | -3.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surveying and mapping technician make?
The national median salary for surveying and mapping technicians is $54,240 a year ($26.08 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,520 and the top 10% earn over $81,630. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays surveying and mapping technicians the most?
California has the highest median pay at $78,110. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many surveying and mapping technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 58,010 people work as surveying and mapping technicians nationwide.