Surveyors, Cartographers, and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians

Surveyors Cartographers and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians Earnings

Median annual earnings of cartographers and photogrammetrists were $42,870 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $32,580 and $55,610. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,810 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $69,320.

Median annual earnings of surveyors were $39,970 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,320 and $53,440. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $67,700. Median hourly earnings of surveyors employed in architectural, engineering, and related services were $38,370 in 2002.

Median annual earnings of surveying and mapping technicians were $29,230 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $22,640 and $39,070 in 2002. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,970. Median annual earnings of surveying and mapping technicians employed in architectural, engineering, and related services were $27,130 in 2002, while those employed by local governments had median annual earnings of $33,680.

In 2003, land surveyors in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions in the Federal Government earned an average salary of $62,980; cartographers, $67,989; geodetic technicians, $55,374; surveying technicians, $33,316; and cartographic technicians, $43,517.

Surveyors Cartographers and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians Nature of Work

Several different types of workers are responsible for measuring and mapping the earth’s surface. Traditional land surveyors establish official land, air space, and water boundaries. They write descriptions of land for deeds, leases, and other legal documents; define airspace for airports; and measure construction and mineral sites. Other surveyors provide data relevant to the shape, contour, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features. Cartographers compile geographic, political, and cultural information and prepare maps of large areas. Photogrammetrists measure and analyze aerial photographs that are subsequently used to prepare detailed maps and drawings. Surveying technicians assist land surveyors by operating survey instruments and collecting information in the field and by performing computations and computer-aided drafting in offices. Mapping technicians calculate mapmaking information from field notes. They also draw topographical maps and verify their accuracy.

Land surveyors manage survey parties who measure distances, directions, and angles between points and elevations of points, lines, and contours on, above, and below the earth’s surface. They plan the fieldwork, select known survey reference points, and determine the precise location of important features in the survey area. Surveyors research legal records, look for evidence of previous boundaries, and analyze the data to determine the location of boundary lines. They also record the results of surveys, verify the accuracy of data, and prepare plots, maps, and reports. Surveyors who establish boundaries must be licensed by the State in which they work. Known as professional land surveyors, they are sometimes called to provide expert testimony in court cases concerning matters pertaining to surveying.

A survey party gathers the information needed by the land surveyor. A typical survey party consists of a party chief and one or more surveying technicians and helpers. The party chief, who may be either a land surveyor or a senior surveying technician, leads day-to-day work activities. Surveying technicians assist the party chief by adjusting and operating surveying instruments, such as the theodolite (used to measure horizontal and vertical angles) and electronic distance-measuring equipment. Surveying technicians or assistants position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that the theodolite operator sights on to measure angles, distances, or elevations. Surveying technicians compile notes, make sketches, and enter the data obtained from surveying instruments into computers. Survey parties also may include laborers or helpers who perform less skilled duties, such as clearing brush from sight lines, driving stakes, or carrying equipment.

New technology is changing the nature of the work of surveyors and surveying technicians. On larger projects, surveyors are increasingly using the Global Positioning System (GPS), a satellite system that locates points on the earth to a high degree of precision by using radio signals transmitted via satellites. To use this system, a surveyor places a satellite signal receiver—a small instrument mounted on a tripod—on a desired point. The receiver also can be placed in a vehicle for tracing out road systems. Because receivers now come in different sizes and shapes, and because the cost of receivers has fallen, much more surveying work can be done with GPS. Surveyors then must interpret and check the results produced by the new technology.

Cartographers measure, map, and chart the earth’s surface. Cartographers collect, analyze, and interpret both spatial data—such as latitude, longitude, elevation, and distance—and nonspatial data—for example, population density, land-use patterns, annual precipitation levels, and demographic characteristics. They prepare maps in either digital or graphic form, using information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data. Photogrammetrists prepare detailed maps and drawings from aerial photographs, usually of areas that are inaccessible, difficult, or less cost efficient to survey by other methods. Some States require photogrammetrists to be licensed as professional land surveyors.

Some surveyors perform specialized functions closer to those of cartographers than to those of traditional surveyors. For example, geodetic surveyors use high-accuracy techniques, including satellite observations (remote sensing), to measure large areas of the earth’s surface. These systems are capable of assembling, integrating, analyzing, and displaying data identified according to location.

Surveyors Cartographers and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians Job Outlook

Overall employment of surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying technicians is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012. The widespread availability and use of advanced technologies, such as GPS, GIS, and remote sensing, will continue to increase both the accuracy and productivity of these workers, resulting in modest overall growth in employment. However, job openings will continue to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or who leave the labor force altogether.

Employment of surveying and mapping technicians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. The short training period needed to learn to operate the equipment, the current lack of any formal testing or licensing, the growing demand for people to do basic GIS-related data-entry work, and relatively lower wages all encourage demand for these technicians. However, many persons possess the basic skills needed to qualify for the jobs that are available, so competition for job openings may result.

As technologies become more complex, opportunities will be best for surveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists who have at least a bachelor’s degree and strong technical skills. Increasing demand for geographic data, as opposed to traditional surveying services, will mean better opportunities for cartographers and photogrammetrists who are involved in the development and use of geographic and land information systems. New technologies, such as GPS and GIS, also may enhance employment opportunities for surveyors, as well as for those surveying technicians who have the educational background and who have acquired technical skills that enable them to work with the new systems. At the same time, upgraded licensing requirements will continue to limit opportunities for professional advancement for those without bachelor’s degrees.

Opportunities for surveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists should remain concentrated in architectural, engineering, and related services firms. However, nontraditional areas, such as urban planning, emergency preparedness, and natural resource exploration and mapping, also should provide employment growth, particularly with regard to producing maps for the management of emergencies and updating maps with the newly available technology. Continued growth in construction through 2012 will require surveyors to lay out streets, shopping centers, housing developments, factories, office buildings, and recreation areas, while setting aside flood plains, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and environmentally sensitive areas for protection. However, employment may fluctuate from year to year along with construction activity or with mapping needs for land and resource management.

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Surveyors Cartographers and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians Significant Points

Surveyors Cartographers and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians Training

Most people prepare for a career as a licensed surveyor by combining postsecondary school courses in surveying with extensive on-the-job training. However, as technology advances, a 4-year college degree is increasingly becoming a prerequisite. About 50 universities now offer 4-year programs leading to a B.S. Junior and community colleges, technical institutes, and vocational schools offer 1-, 2-, and 3-year programs in both surveying and surveying technology.

All 50 States and all U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands) license land surveyors. For licensure, most State licensing boards require that individuals pass a written examination given by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Most States also require surveyors to pass a written examination prepared by the State licensing board. In addition, candidates must meet varying standards of formal education and work experience in the field.

In the past, many with little formal training in surveying started as members of survey crews and worked their way up to become licensed surveyors. However, because of advancing technology and rising licensing standards, formal education requirements are increasing. Specific requirements vary among States. Generally, the quickest route to licensure is a combination of 4 years of college, up to 4 years of experience under the supervision of an experienced surveyor (a few States do not require any such experience), and passing the licensing examinations. An increasing number of States require a bachelor’s degree in surveying or in a closely related field, such as civil engineering or forestry (with courses in surveying), regardless of the number of years of experience. Many states also have a continuing education requirement.

High school students interested in surveying should take courses in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, drafting, mechanical drawing, and computer science. High school graduates with no formal training in surveying usually start as apprentices. Beginners with postsecondary school training in surveying usually can start as technicians or assistants. With on-the-job experience and formal training in surveying—either in an institutional program or from a correspondence school—workers may advance to senior survey technician, then to party chief, and, in some cases, to licensed surveyor (depending on State licensing requirements).

The National Society of Professional Surveyors, a member organization of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, has a voluntary certification program for surveying technicians. Technicians are certified at four levels requiring progressive amounts of experience, in addition to the passing of written examinations. Although not required for State licensure, many employers require certification for promotion to positions with greater responsibilities.

Surveyors should have the ability to visualize objects, distances, sizes, and abstract forms. They must work with precision and accuracy, because mistakes can be costly. Members of a survey party must be in good physical condition, because they work outdoors and often carry equipment over difficult terrain. They need good eyesight, coordination, and hearing to communicate verbally and manually (using hand signals). Surveying is a cooperative operation, so good interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team are important. Good office skills also are essential, because surveyors must be able to research old deeds and other legal papers and prepare reports that document their work.

Cartographers and photogrammetrists usually have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as engineering, forestry, geography, or a physical science. Although it is possible to enter these positions through previous experience as a photogrammetric or cartographic technician, nowadays most cartographic and photogrammetric technicians have had some specialized postsecondary school training. With the development of GIS, cartographers and photogrammetrists need additional education and stronger technical skills—including more experience with computers—than in the past.

The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing has a voluntary certification program for photogrammetrists. To qualify for this professional distinction, individuals must meet work experience standards and pass an oral or a written examination.

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Surveyors Cartographers and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians Employment

Surveyors Cartographers and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians Related Occupations

Surveying is related to the work of civil engineers, architects, and landscape architects because an accurate survey is the first step in land development and construction projects. Cartography and geodetic surveying are related to the work of environmental scientists and geoscientists, who study the earth’s internal composition, surface, and atmosphere. Cartography also is related to the work of geographers and urban and regional planners, who study and decide how the earth’s surface is to be used.

Surveyors Cartographers and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians Additional Sources

For career information on surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying technicians, contact:

Information about career opportunities, licensure requirements, and the surveying technician certification program is available from:

For information on a career as a geodetic surveyor, contact:

General information on careers in photogrammetry and remote sensing is available from:

Surveyors Cartographers and Photogrammetrists and Surveying Technicians Summaries of Related Webpages

KiwiCareers - Land Surveyor / Print Page LAND SURVEYOR Kairuri Whenua Description Land surveyors map the features of the Earth's surface. They may specialise in cadastral surveying (defining or marking boundaries), land development and subdivision or engineering, mining or hydrographic surveying. They need good oral and written communication skills and they should also be practical and able to deal with problems and resolve issues. They should also be adaptable and able to work well under pressure. Experience Useful experience for land surveyors includes work as a surveyor's assistant or technician.
Summary of: http://www.kiwicareers.govt.nz/jobs/12a_des/j28120x.htm

Opportunities will be best for surveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists who have at least a bachelor’s degree and strong technical skills. Traditional land surveyors establish official land, air space, and water boundaries. Cartographers compile geographic, political, and cultural information and prepare maps of large areas. Surveying technicians assist land surveyors by operating survey instruments and collecting information in the field and by performing computations and computer-aided drafting in offices. They plan the fieldwork, select known survey reference points, and determine the precise location of important features in the survey area.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos040.htm

JOBS Career Opportunities for Surveyors Read what the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping has to say. Data is obtained from digital ground-based surveying equipment, aerial photos, and satellites. More familiar products provided by surveyors include road and city maps, building layouts, maps of the moon and planets, and diagrams showing population growth. Federal, state, and local government agencies employ almost one-third of all surveyors. Among the federal agencies employing these workers are the Bureau of Land Management, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Army Corps of Engineers, Forest Services, and US Geological Survey.
Summary of: http://surveying.wb.psu.edu/psu-surv/career.htm

How do you determine what the legal land boundaries are. When building a house, how do you know if there was once a garbage dump on the very site or if the house is sitting on a fault line. Land surveyors plan, direct and conduct legal surveys to establish and interpret real property boundaries. However if none exist, they will conduct fieldwork, with a team of technicians and prepare new plans to determine the accurate boundaries of a specific project area. Their job involves technologically advanced methods of land study including land mapping, navigation and communications.
Summary of: http://www.schoolsintheusa.com/careerprofiles_details.cfm?CarID=439

Traditional land surveyors establish official land, air space, and water boundaries. Cartographers compile geographic, political, and cultural information and prepare maps of large areas. Surveying technicians assist land surveyors by operating survey instruments and collecting information in the field, and by performing computations and computer-aided drafting in offices. Mapping technicians calculate mapmaking information from field notes. They plan the fieldwork, select known survey reference points, and determine the precise location of important features in the survey area.
Summary of: http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/proft03.shtml

Professional surveyors are the people who answer these sorts of questions. Working with increasingly high-tech equipment, surveyors spend their days measuring land, air space and water boundaries. They also try to determine such relevant facts as the exact elevation of a piece of land, its contour, location and dimension. Professional Land Surveyors are also sometimes called to provide expert testimony in court cases regarding surveying matters. Find out about the CTE courses in your community.
Summary of: http://www3.ccps.virginia.edu/career_prospects/briefs/P-S/Surveyors.shtml

Land surveyors establish official land, air space, and water boundaries. Mapping scientists and other surveyors collect geographic information and prepare maps of large areas. They plan the fieldwork, select known survey reference points, and determine the precise location of important features in the survey area. To use it, a surveyor places a satellite receiver-about the size of a backpack-on a desired point. The cost of the receivers has fallen and much more surveying work is being done by GPS.
Summary of: http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/outlook/ocos040.html

They work outdoors most of the time and often have assistants. Surveyors work with many other people and often act as team leaders, in charge of projects for civil engineers, architects, or local authorities. Surveying involves rigorous physical work. Respondents said that their work can be stressful because it is so exacting and because architects sometimes claim a survey was faulty instead of taking responsibility for their own mistakes. Paying Your Dues Surveyors are not required to have a college education, but state licensing requirements make it preferable for candidates to earn one.
Summary of: http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/profiles/dayInLife.asp?careerID=152

Land surveyors establish official land, air space, and water boundaries. They are assisted by survey technicians, who operate surveying instruments and collect information. Mapping scientists and other surveyors collect geographic information and prepare maps and charts of large areas. They plan the fieldwork, select known survey reference points, and determine the precise location of all important features of the survey area. To use it, a surveyor places a satellite receiver about the size of a backpack on a desired point.
Summary of: http://www.edonline.com/collegecompass/oohb0053.htm

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