What Does a Surveyor Do?
A surveyor measures and maps the environment to determine legal property boundaries, prepare construction plans, and support engineering or real estate projects. They utilize high-precision instruments, including GPS, total stations, and GIS software, to collect spatial data and convert it into usable site documentation.
Surveyors play a critical role in land development and infrastructure projects. Their work informs everything from architectural design and zoning compliance to utility placement and environmental assessments. Accurate land measurements help prevent legal disputes and ensure that building projects stay aligned with regulatory and structural requirements.
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Surveyor Core Responsibilities
- Conduct field surveys to measure distances, elevations, and angles
- Use GPS, total stations, and 3D scanning to collect spatial data
- Establish official property boundaries and document land features
- Interpret survey results and create site plans or legal descriptions
- Collaborate with civil engineers, architects, and construction managers
- Prepare reports, maps, and charts using CAD or GIS tools
- Research land records, titles, and historical survey data
- Verify accuracy of survey data and resolve discrepancies
- Maintain and calibrate surveying equipment
- Ensure surveys comply with local, state, and federal regulations
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency with surveying tools (e.g., total station, GPS/GNSS, digital levels)
- Familiarity with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD Civil 3D)
- Experience with GIS and mapping tools
- Understanding of property law, zoning codes, and legal land descriptions
- Knowledge of field data collection and documentation best practices
Soft skills
- Strong mathematical and spatial reasoning skills
- Attention to detail and data accuracy
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Ability to work outdoors in varied conditions
- Problem-solving and time management skills
Education
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering, or a related field
Certifications
- Licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) – required for legal boundary work in most states
- Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) – required in most states as a precursor to licensure
Recommended certifications include Certified Survey Technician (CST) from NSPS and FAA Part 107 Drone Certification for aerial surveying.
Surveyor Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with drone/UAV-based surveying
- Familiarity with photogrammetry or LiDAR
- Knowledge of construction site layout and staking
- Prior work on DOT, municipal, or commercial development projects
National Average Salary
Surveyor salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Surveyor is:
$76,456
Sample Surveyor Job Descriptions
It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a surveyor. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.
Example 1: Land Surveyor
Position overview
The Land Surveyor is responsible for measuring and mapping land features to establish accurate property boundaries and legal land descriptions. This role plays a key part in land development, title work, and real estate transactions by providing certified surveys that meet local and state regulations.
Responsibilities
- Conduct boundary and cadastral surveys to determine property lines
- Research public land records, plats, and historical deeds
- Use GPS, total stations, and leveling instruments to collect field data
- Prepare legal descriptions, survey maps, and plats
- Collaborate with developers, engineers, and title companies
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and state survey standards
- Resolve discrepancies between survey records and actual measurements
- Certify and stamp surveys in accordance with licensure laws
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency with total stations, GNSS/GPS systems, and digital levels
- Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D and survey drafting software
- Knowledge of legal boundary principles and local land use laws
- Skilled in deed research and record reconciliation
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy
- Effective communication with legal, engineering, and municipal teams
- Independent problem-solving abilities
- Organizational skills for managing multiple projects
Education
Bachelor’s degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering, or related field
Certifications
- Licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) – required for legal boundary work
- Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) – required for licensure pathway
Recommended certifications include Certified Survey Technician (CST) and FAA Part 107 Drone Certification.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with title surveys and ALTA/NSPS standards
- Familiarity with GIS platforms and 3D scanning
Example 2: Construction Surveyor
Position overview
The Construction Surveyor provides precise site layout and staking to guide construction projects from ground-breaking to completion. They ensure foundations, utilities, roads, and structures are placed according to design specifications and regulatory standards.
Responsibilities
- Stake out construction sites based on engineering and architectural drawings
- Verify elevation, alignment, and layout before and during construction
- Collaborate with site supervisors, contractors, and engineers
- Operate total stations, robotic instruments, and GPS equipment
- Adjust survey data to accommodate site changes or as-builts
- Document and communicate layout data to field teams
- Ensure measurements comply with project blueprints and zoning codes
- Maintain equipment and field data logs
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with construction staking techniques and site layout procedures
- Proficiency in GPS/GNSS tools, total stations, and digital levels
- Knowledge of construction drawings and civil plans
- Ability to interpret elevation benchmarks and grading specs
Soft skills
- Precision and attention to detail under field conditions
- Strong communication with field and project teams
- Time management in fast-paced environments
- Adaptability to changing site conditions
Education
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in surveying, construction management, or civil engineering
Certifications
Certified Survey Technician (CST) – optional but beneficial
Recommended certifications include OSHA 10/30 Construction Safety and FAA Part 107 Drone Certification for aerial site checks.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working on DOT or large commercial job sites
- Familiarity with machine control and grade modeling
Example 3: Boundary Surveyor
Position overview
The Boundary Surveyor specializes in defining legal property lines for real estate transactions, land development, and dispute resolution. This role requires expert knowledge of land records, deed interpretation, and legal standards for boundary determination.
Responsibilities
- Conduct boundary retracement surveys using historical deeds and plats
- Analyze title documentation and prior surveys to resolve property line conflicts
- Establish or re-establish property corners and easements
- Use total stations, GNSS, and other survey tools to collect precise field data
- Produce plats and legal descriptions for title and permitting purposes
- Testify in legal proceedings or depositions when boundary disputes arise
- Ensure boundary surveys meet local and state regulatory requirements
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficient in land record research and deed analysis
- Skilled in total station operation and GPS surveying
- Expertise in ALTA/NSPS standards and cadastral practices
- Ability to prepare survey documents suitable for legal filings
Soft skills
- High level of accuracy and documentation integrity
- Clear written and verbal reporting for legal contexts
- Sound judgment in evaluating conflicting land records
- Independent and investigative approach
Education
Bachelor’s degree in surveying, geomatics, or a related field
Certifications
- Licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) – required
- Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) – required for licensure
Recommended certifications include Certified Survey Technician (CST) and continuing education in legal boundary resolution.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with land court filings or title insurance claims
- Familiarity with court-accepted boundary documentation standards
Example 4: Topographic Surveyor
Position overview
The topographic surveyor collects elevation and terrain data to produce detailed maps used in engineering design, environmental planning, and land development. This role supports site analysis by capturing features like contours, vegetation, structures, and drainage.
Responsibilities
- Conduct field surveys using GPS, total stations, and 3D scanning equipment
- Measure terrain elevations, slopes, and surface features
- Produce digital terrain models (DTMs) and topographic maps
- Document surface obstructions, utilities, and natural features
- Coordinate with engineers and planners to inform site design
- Convert raw survey data into usable CAD and GIS formats
- Ensure survey results meet spatial accuracy standards and project goals
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with GPS/GNSS data collection and total station workflows
- Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D or equivalent CAD software
- Familiarity with LiDAR, drone photogrammetry, or scanning tools
- Understanding of DTM, DEM, and topographic mapping principles
Soft skills
- Strong spatial awareness and data interpretation skills
- Clear communication with design and planning teams
- Thorough documentation and data quality control
- Ability to work in varied and challenging outdoor terrain
Education
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in geomatics, surveying, or civil technology
Certifications
Certified Survey Technician (CST)
Recommended certifications include the FAA Part 107 Drone Certification and ESRI GIS Fundamentals.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with environmental, DOT, or land development projects
- Familiarity with GIS integration or 3D modeling