Surveying and mapping technicians
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Surveying and mapping technicians in the United States earn a median salary of $54,240 per year — about $26 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 59K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +5%.
Median Salary
$54,240
~$26/hr · ~$4,520/mo
US Jobs
59K
Faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
5/10
Moderate
AI & Automation Risk
Moderate 5/10
This occupation is a hybrid of physical fieldwork and digital data processing. While AI and automation (via drones and GIS software) significantly enhance data analysis, map creation, and calculation tasks, the role still requires a physical presence to navigate rugged terrain, set markers, and operate equipment in the real world.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CABEST VALUE | $101,270 | Above avg (108.6) | $93,254 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $92,700 | Above avg (113.6) | $81,627 |
| Visalia, CA | $80,680 | Average (99.8) | $80,821 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $81,120 | Above avg (106.7) | $76,048 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $79,450 | Above avg (107.8) | $73,712 |
| Anchorage, AK | $76,970 | Above avg (105.4) | $73,013 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,360 | Above avg (115.6) | $72,968 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $76,140 | Above avg (104.8) | $72,637 |
| Vallejo, CA | $78,790 | Above avg (108.5) | $72,632 |
| Reno, NV | $73,320 | Average (101.0) | $72,584 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $75,990 | Above avg (105.1) | $72,310 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $59,870 | Below avg (85.1) | $70,350 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $78,110 | Above avg (111.9) | $69,812 |
| Toledo, OH | $63,720 | Below avg (91.5) | $69,674 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,670 | Below avg (88.8) | $69,473 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
10-Year Growth
+5% (Faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$26/hr
Monthly Income
~$4,520/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)