California Median
$78,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+44% vs US median
US median $54,240
State Rank
#1 of 50
3,340 employed here
How much do Surveying and Mapping Technicians make in California?
Surveying and Mapping Technicians in California take home a median of $78,110 annually — roughly $37.55 an hour — which runs 44% above the national median of $54,240.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $48,000 while the top 10% make $119,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,090 and $102,770 a year.
Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,090 | $29.37 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,110 | $37.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $102,770 | $49.41 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,270 | $57.34 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories for Surveying and Mapping Technicians pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary in other states
Alaska $76,970Minnesota $73,190Washington $62,720Maryland $61,600North Dakota $60,870New Jersey $60,720Montana $60,330Ohio $60,330Rhode Island $60,320Utah $59,600Wisconsin $59,080Iowa $58,950Connecticut $58,900Nevada $58,790Massachusetts $58,730Pennsylvania $58,270Wyoming $58,220Colorado $57,890Illinois $57,470New York $57,360New Hampshire $57,290Delaware $57,130Virginia $56,760Maine $56,470Vermont $56,460Indiana $56,440New Mexico $56,210Oregon $55,790Hawaii $55,580Arizona $54,080North Carolina $53,160Idaho $52,630Missouri $51,700Kansas $50,900Tennessee $50,370Michigan $50,340South Dakota $50,050Louisiana $49,440Georgia $48,810West Virginia $48,530Nebraska $48,080Florida $48,040Texas $47,680Mississippi $47,320Oklahoma $46,760Alabama $46,450Arkansas $46,370Kentucky $46,050South Carolina $43,740
Working as Surveying and Mapping Technicians in California
Nationally, about 58,000 people work as Surveying and Mapping Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($78,110) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Surveying and Mapping Technicians make in California?
The median Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary in California is $78,110 per year, or about $37.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,000 at the entry level to $119,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Surveying and Mapping Technicians about 44% more than the national median of $54,240. California ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Surveying and Mapping Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,110 a year. About 3,340 Surveying and Mapping Technicians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.