About Surveying and Mapping

Surveyors use knowledge of geodesy, mathematics, and legal principals.  They measure distances, angles, and elevations to locate and map boundary lines, man made objects, and natural features.  Professional Surveyors prepare plats and legal descriptions which descript the location of property boundaries and easements.

Surveying personnel is divided into two main groups, field crews and office staff.  Positions on field crews include Crew Chief, Instrument Man, and Rod Man.  The titles used may vary from company to company.  The office staff includes the Registered Professional Land Surveyor, Survey Office Technicians, Draftspersons, Records Researcher, and more.  They calculate data, prepare reports, conduct legal research, plan new work or confer with clients.

In Texas private sector surveyors usually work 40-55 hours per week.  Some surveying companies have a compact work week and only work four or four and a half days per week.  The number of hours spent working each week depends on demand for surveys which will fluctuate through out the year.

The type of work a surveyor performs can vary on location and preference. Some of the most common types of surveying in Texas include: oil and gas, title surveys, commercial development, subdivision plating, ROW surveying (TXDOT), construction staking, and wind generation.

Earnings for Surveying and Mapping Technician and RPLS

There is a great variance in salary between the category of Registered Professional Land Surveyor and Survey Technician. Within these categories, the salary of this occupation varies from city to city, and increases with experience.  Generally Office Technicians earn 40,000 – 60,000 dollars annually and Registered Professional Land Surveyors make 65,000 – 120,000 dollars annually.

Interests and Abilities

In general, individuals considering entering this field should like mathematics and some of the following: Working outdoors, working with their hands, performing activities using equipment and processes, and using computers. They should be able to:

• Work in a team with others
• Solve mathematical problems quickly and accurately
• Follow established rules and specifications to meet set limits, tolerances or standards
• Use logical, step-by-step procedures
• Compare and recognize differences in lines or figures
• Keep records neatly and accurately
• Supervise the work of others