Geodetic Surveyors: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Geodetic Surveyors

Geodetic Surveyors measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.

Salary
$70260
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Geodetic Surveyors measure large areas of the Earth’s surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.

  • Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth’s surface.
  • Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
  • Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.
  • Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.
Read more about what does a Geodetic Surveyor really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$66440 per year

Average hourly wage
$32 per hour


Geodetic Surveyors with little to no experience tend to make between $35160 and $46590 while the more experienced ones can earn over $82140 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
CA $44 $91,010
WA $41 $85,860
NV $39 $80,520
AK $38 $79,940
NY $37 $77,660

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Geodetic Surveyor is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Geodetic Surveyors are CA, WA, NV, AK and NY.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Geodetic Surveyor is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Bachelor’s degree

We asked other Geodetic Surveyors what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Bachelor’s Degree followed by a Master’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Surveying Technology/Surveying
Read more about how to become a Geodetic Surveyor and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Geodetic Surveyor.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally
Suitable for people who values achievements and are results-oriented
Good salary (earns more than 50% compared to other careers)
Demand for this career is growing fast
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
70%

Is this job meaningful
60%


70% of Geodetic Surveyors said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Thinkers and The Organizers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.



Learn more about Geodetic Surveyors

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Geodetic Surveyors job description, Geodetic Surveyors salary, Geodetic Surveyors information, what is the job of a Geodetic Surveyor like, pros and cons about Geodetic Surveyors, colleges and universities for Geodetic Surveyors, is Geodetic Surveyors the right career for me, careers in Architecture and Engineering

Similar careers

Geodesist, Geodetic Advisor, Geodetic Computator, Geodetic Surveyor Technologist, Geographic Information System Surveyor (GIS Surveyor), LIDAR Technician (Light Detection and Ranging Technician), Professor, Remote Sensing Surveyor, Survey Director,

Additional resources