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.
About the profession
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.
How to Get Started
Take a personality test to see if Surveying and Mapping Technicians fits your profile
Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
Jump to Career Path →Start learning — check the Learning Path for free courses
Jump to Learning Path →Video
Occupation on screen: Surveying and Mapping Technicians (O*NET 17-3031.00). Closed captions in English and Spanish. CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration)
Personality Fit
Based on the Surveying and Mapping Technicians role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Realistic
Hands-on, practical, technical work
Investigative
Research, analysis, problem-solving
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
Not sure if these types match you? Take the full RIASEC assessment (4 min) to discover your personality profile and see how it aligns with hundreds of careers.
Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Junior Surveying and Mapping Technician → Practitioner Surveying and Mapping Technician → Senior Practitioner Surveying and Mapping Technician → Lead Surveying and Mapping Technician
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
$79K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $35,080 - $46,098/year With equity/bonuses: $38,588 - $55,318 Top markets (SF/NYC): $40,342 - $55,318 Execute core tasks using Reading…
Skills used in this career
Click any skill to see how to learn it and what salary boost it gives
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $24,556 - $41,488 Year 2-3: Junior level $46,098 - $54,259 Year 4-6: Mid level $54,259 - $58,828 Year 7-10: Senior level $58,828 - $71,540 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Surveying and Mapping Technician genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking You…
💰 Salary Range
BLS OEWS, May 2023Half of U.S. workers in this occupation earn more than this, half earn less.
Create a free account to see how well this career fits you.
Create Free Account🎯 Is Surveying and Mapping Technicians right for you?
Take these tests to find out if this career matches your personality:
Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types