Explore Careers › Science & engineering support

Surveying & Mapping Technician

Also called: Land Surveyor, Mapping Technician (Mapping Tech), Stereoplotter Operator, Survey Technician (Survey Tech)

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.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Science & engineering support
Build my free kit for this job →
Median pay
$54,240/yr
Typical range
$37,520 – $81,630
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Surveying & Mapping Technician 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.

  • Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.
  • Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points.
  • Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.

How to become a Surveying & Mapping Technician

Training: A high school diploma or GED or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Reading work related informationThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problemNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Is it a fit for you?

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cautiousness
  • Integrity

Tools and technology

Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DBentley MicroStationMicrosoft PowerPointCoordinate geometry COGO softwareTriton Elics International Isis

Questions people ask

How much does a Surveying & Mapping Technician make?

About $54,240 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $37,520 and $81,630. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Surveying & Mapping Technician?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be a Surveying & Mapping Technician?

No four-year degree is needed. A high school diploma or GED or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree.

Is Surveying & Mapping Technician a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologist & Technician$82,890 a yearAgricultural Technician$49,630 a yearArchitectural & Civil Drafter$66,150 a yearCalibration Technologist & Technician$67,820 a yearChemical Technician$60,390 a yearFood Science Technician$52,130 a year

Want to land a Surveying & Mapping Technician job?

Build your résumé and cover letter for this job, free, in a few minutes.

Build my free kit →

National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

← Explore more careers