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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Surveyors

Part of Architecture & Construction, in the Design/Pre-Construction pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 17-1022.00

What the work is

Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.

On a typical day

  • Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
  • Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
  • Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
  • Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
  • Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
  • Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.

What it pays

$59,140
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $40,970
Experienced workers reach $101,040
  1. $41k10th
  2. $49k25th
  3. $59kMedian
  4. $79k75th
  5. $101k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $40,970, 25th $48,950, Median $59,140, 75th $79,300, 90th $101,040

About 480 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+16.3%

employment change in the Alamo region, 578 to 672 jobs · U.S. +4%

49

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 3,900

578

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 56,100

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree · Training: Internship/residency

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Mathematics4.1
  2. Reading Comprehension4.1
  3. Writing4.0
  4. Critical Thinking4.0
  5. Speaking3.9
  6. Active Listening3.9
  7. Coordination3.6
  8. Active Learning3.4

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less16%
  2. Certificate5%
  3. Some college21%
  4. Associate degree11%
  5. Bachelor's degree47%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northwest Vista
  1. Land Surveying Technician

    Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

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