by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Surveying Technology/Surveying covers Surveying Technology/surveying. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Delineation, Determination, Planning And Positioning Of Land Tracts, Land And Water Boundaries, Land Contours And Features; And The Preparation Of Related Maps, Charts And Reports. Includes Instruction In Applied Geodesy, Computer Graphics, Photointerpretation, Plane And Geodetic Surveying, Mensuration, Traversing, Survey Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Instrument Calibration, And Basic Cartography. Read on to learn the essential details every surveying technology/surveying major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering surveying technology/surveying programs.
In the U.S., surveying technology/surveying draws strong interest, with 1,046 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Surveying Technology/Surveying Schools ranking analyzes these 79 schools to determine the best overall colleges for surveying technology/surveying students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of surveying technology/surveying programs later in this article.
Coursework for Surveying Technology/Surveying emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations surveying technology/surveying graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a surveying technology/surveying program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a surveying technology/surveying major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several surveying technology/surveying degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 117 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 316 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 228 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 365 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to surveying technology/surveying tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 50.4% |
| Some college courses | 17.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 12.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.2% |
| Master’s degree | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in surveying technology/surveying careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying surveying technology/surveying can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to surveying technology/surveying.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to surveying technology/surveying.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Surveyors | 397,409 | 15.0% |
| Geodetic Surveyors | 69,858 | -3.5% |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 55,239 | -4.8% |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | 33,541 | -2.7% |
| Drafters, All Other | 32,528 | -1.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of surveying technology/surveying graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $61,962 |
| 4 years | $60,220 |
| 5 years | $64,342 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for surveying technology/surveying graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers surveying technology/surveying grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Surveyors | $131,353 |
| Geodetic Surveyors | $125,113 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $123,658 |
| Drafters, All Other | $114,777 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $56,771 |
With 79 different surveying technology/surveying programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased surveying technology/surveying school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in surveying technology/surveying, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician | 112 |
| Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other | 79 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
