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 (111.0) | $91,217 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $92,700 | Above avg (114.7) | $80,785 |
| Visalia, CA | $80,680 | Average (101.5) | $79,503 |
| Reno, NV | $73,320 | Average (98.0) | $74,797 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $81,120 | Above avg (109.1) | $74,360 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $76,140 | Above avg (104.3) | $73,000 |
| Anchorage, AK | $76,970 | Above avg (106.8) | $72,089 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $79,450 | Above avg (110.3) | $72,062 |
| Vallejo, CA | $78,790 | Above avg (109.4) | $72,047 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,360 | Above avg (117.6) | $71,765 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,670 | Below avg (87.2) | $70,738 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $75,990 | Above avg (107.6) | $70,644 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $78,110 | Above avg (110.7) | $70,534 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $66,310 | Below avg (94.1) | $70,495 |
| Toledo, OH | $63,720 | Below avg (90.6) | $70,313 |
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)