Surveying and Mapping Occupations
Description OES Code: 22311
Surveys are usually conducted by teams or parties of four to eight members. Licensed (Professional) Land Surveyors direct survey teams. They take the legal responsibility for all survey results. Working directly under the Land Surveyor, Party Chiefs plan and supervise day-to-day activities of survey teams. They also verify the accuracy of measurements and calculations done at survey sites. Land Survey Technicians use standard and sophisticated electronic tools such as on-board computers to measure horizontal and vertical angles; they also use electronic distance-measuring instruments. They compile notes, sketches and records of measurement data. Survey teams also spend time in offices planning surveys, drawing maps, preparing reports and doing computations for completed site surveys.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $14.55
25th Percentile $17.63
50th Percentile $23.13
75th Percentile $27.64

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $13.62
25th Percentile $14.90
50th Percentile $18.21
75th Percentile $22.12

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 3,500
Projected Employment 2008 3,500
Percent Change 1998-2008 0%
Separations 1998-2008 800

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 60
Projected Employment 2006 70
Percent Change 1999-2006 16.7%
Separations 1999-2006 10

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Surveying teams spend much of their time outdoors and often do strenuous work carrying instruments and equipment over difficult terrain. Workers also stand for long periods. They walk long distances with heavy packs of equipment. They are subject to all kinds of weather as well as sunburn, poison oak, snake and insect bites and other hazards. There is danger on construction projects from moving machinery, falling objects, and moving vehicles on highway work. The work requires the ability to communicate by hand and voice signals over great distances. Occasionally, workers must drive long distances to survey sites.

Advancement
Typically, entry into land surveying occupations is through apprentice programs in construction or survey assistant and helper jobs in government or other industries. With experience, the career path leads to Rod and Chain Person or Land Survey Technician, then Chief of Party and, finally, to Licensed Land Surveyor. Some surveyors go on to management positions such as field engineers; others take advanced training to become civil engineers.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Job seekers should contact surveying, engineering architectural and utility companies and local offices of the Operating Engineers union. They should also register with the nearest Employment Development Department Job Service office and personnel offices of federal, state, and local government.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
California is the only state in the nation that has a formal apprenticeship program for surveyors in the construction industry. Applicants must also show proof of high school graduation or an equivalent certificate, complete all application forms, pass a qualification test, and show legal evidence of employable status in the U.S. The apprenticeship program leads to journey level Rod and Chain Person and then to Chief of Party. Chief of Party surveyors can advance to Licensed Land Surveyors by meeting the work experience and written exam requirements of the State Board of Registration of Professional Engineers.

Land Surveyors need six years of land surveying experience to qualify for a license. They can substitute up to four years of training for part of the experience.

Community college or technical school coursework in surveying and mapping technology is the best way to prepare for work for government, engineering and utility companies.

Skills & Other Requirements
Applicants must be at least eighteen years old, be physically able to perform all phases of the work and have a valid driver's license. They need to read, write and speak English at the level necessary for success in classroom instruction and to safeguard themselves and co-workers on the job.

References
California Occupational Guide #106

Related Occupations: Landscape Architects

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)

© 2002 State of California CalCRN, US Department of Labor
Unless otherwise noted, wage data source: CA EDD Occupational Employment Statistics Employer Survey. Other wage data may be based on the most current Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses.
Questions or Comments? Contact CalCRN.