A land surveyor determines land boundaries by measuring various areas with various types of equipment. Maps and boundary lines for commercial and residential land plots are drawn using these land boundaries. A land surveyor’s salary is affected by a variety of factors, including his or her level of education and experience, the industry in which he or she works, and the location of the job. In general, a land surveyor with more education and experience, working in a high-demand industry, and living and working in a city has more opportunities to earn a higher salary rate.
A formal education is required for the majority of land surveyor jobs. Many technical schools and community colleges offer a one- or two-year certificate program that teaches the fundamentals of equipment operation and land plot determination. While many jobs will accept a certificate in lieu of a degree, the salary of a land surveyor may increase if he or she has a four-year degree from an accredited university.
A land surveyor’s salary is determined in part by his or her experience in addition to their education. A land surveyor who is just starting out usually works as an apprentice or accepts a lower-paying job. As a land surveyor gains experience in the field, his or her pay will rise, and he or she may be eligible for higher-paying jobs.
Land surveyors work in a variety of industries, which can affect a land surveyor’s salary because each industry pays differently. Land surveyors employed by the government, for example, earn more than land surveyors employed by private residential development companies. Within a given industry, different jobs may pay different amounts. Land surveyors who work for the federal government, for example, can earn more than those who work for the state or local government.
A land surveyor’s salary is also influenced by his or her location. Salaries in urban areas and other areas where land surveying is in higher demand, such as growing suburban areas with large development needs, are higher than in areas where demand is lower. Land surveyors in New York state, for example, earn more on average than those in Montana or Nebraska, because New York has more urban areas and areas undergoing expansion or redevelopment. The average pay rate for all jobs, including land surveyors, can be affected by the cost of living in a given area.