Surveying and Mapping Technicians Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Surveying and Mapping Technicians — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$54,240
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$26.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$81,630
entry level starts ~$37,520
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 58,000 employed

How much do Surveying and Mapping Technicians make?

The median pay for Surveying and Mapping Technicians in the United States is $54,240 per year — about $26.08 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $37,520, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $81,630.

That is $7,150 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary range by percentile

Half of all Surveying and Mapping Technicians earn between $45,430 and $66,700 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,520$18.04
25th percentile (early career)$45,430$21.84
50th percentile (median)$54,240$26.08
75th percentile (experienced)$66,700$32.07
90th percentile (top earners)$81,630$39.25

Highest-paying states for Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. California leads the country for Surveying and Mapping Technicians pay at $78,110 a year, followed by Alaska ($76,970) and Minnesota ($73,190). At the other end, South Carolina posts the lowest median at $43,740 — a gap of $34,370 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1California$78,110$37.55+44%
2Alaska$76,970$37.00+42%
3Minnesota$73,190$35.19+35%
4Washington$62,720$30.15+16%
5Maryland$61,600$29.62+14%

Workforce and education

About 58,000 people work as Surveying and Mapping Technicians in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $58,000 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Surveying and Mapping Technicians make in the United States?
The median Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary in the United States is $54,240 per year, or about $26.08 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,520, while the top 10% of earners make $81,630 or more.
How does Surveying and Mapping Technicians pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Surveying and Mapping Technicians median of $54,240 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Surveying and Mapping Technicians the most?
California is the highest-paying state for Surveying and Mapping Technicians, with a median salary of $78,110 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Surveying and Mapping Technicians need?
For most positions, a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Surveying and Mapping Technicians work in the United States?
About 58,000 people were employed as Surveying and Mapping Technicians in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.