Surveying Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Surveying Technology equips students with the technical expertise to accurately measure, map, and analyze Earth’s surface for land development, infrastructure projects, and environmental planning. This program integrates advanced mathematics, geospatial science, and modern instrumentation to ensure precise data collection and interpretation across diverse terrains and conditions.
- Applied Geodesy: Studies the Earth’s geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravitational field to establish highly accurate spatial reference systems.
- Computer Graphics: Utilizes digital tools and visualization software to create detailed, scalable representations of surveyed landscapes and site plans.
- Photointerpretation: Involves analyzing aerial and satellite imagery to extract geographic information and identify surface features.
- Plane and Geodetic Surveying: Applies mathematical models to measure and represent land surfaces, with plane surveying for small areas and geodetic surveying for large-scale, Earth-curvature-aware measurements.
- Mensuration: Focuses on the precise measurement of distances, angles, areas, and volumes using both traditional and digital techniques.
- Traversing: A method of establishing control points by measuring angles and distances between successive points to define property boundaries and topography.
- Survey Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Covers hands-on training with total stations, GPS receivers, leveling instruments, and other field tools, including proper calibration and troubleshooting.
- Instrument Calibration: Ensures measurement accuracy by systematically testing and adjusting surveying devices to meet industry standards.
- Basic Cartography: Teaches the principles of map design, symbolization, scale, projection, and data visualization for effective spatial communication.
Surveying Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Surveying Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Surveying Technology degrees, including Cartographers and Photogrammetrists, Surveyors and Drafters, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 138,600 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists 17-1021 | $78,380 | $50,500 - $121,440 | 12,790 | $37.68 |
| Surveyors 17-1022 | $72,740 | $43,680 - $116,330 | 53,080 | $34.97 |
| Drafters, All Other 17-3019 | $62,010 | $42,170 - $96,620 | 16,010 | $29.81 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians 17-3031 | $51,940 | $36,910 - $80,870 | 56,720 | $24.97 |
Surveying Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $47,933 in Rhode Island to $88,430 in California—a 84% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Nevada. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 138,600 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Surveying Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 79 institutions offering Surveying Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Surveying Technology is found at Oklahoma State University (OSU-OKC), Oklahoma City (69 graduates), University of Akron, Main Campus (56 graduates), Tyler Junior College (TJC) (51 graduates), University of Arkansas Community College (UACCM), Morrilton (46 graduates), and University of Maine (UMaine) (40 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,046 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma State University (OSU-OKC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
69 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | osuokc.edu |
| University of Akron |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Residency
|
56 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Tyler Junior College (TJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51 | Tyler, Texas | Public | tjc.edu |
| University of Arkansas Community College (UACCM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
46 | Morrilton, Arkansas | Public | uaccm.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
40 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Santiago Canyon College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
38 | Orange, California | Public | sccollege.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
32 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| Lone Star College System (LSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | The Woodlands, Texas | Public | lonestar.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
27 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | solacc.edu |
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Other Award
|
22 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
21 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (Alfred State) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
18 | Alfred, New York | Public | alfredstate.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| Southeast Technical College (STC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Public | southeasttech.edu |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) |
Associate's
|
16 | Syracuse, New York | Public | esf.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
16 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Asheville, North Carolina | Public | abtech.edu |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Conway, South Carolina | Public | hgtc.edu |
| Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
14 | Hazard, Kentucky | Public | hazard.kctcs.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| Clark College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Vancouver, Washington | Public | clark.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| Parkland College |
Other Award
|
13 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | parkland.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Hato Rey, Puerto Rico | Private | pupr.edu |
| Everglades University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | evergladesuniversity.edu |
| University of North Georgia (UNG) |
Other Award
|
13 | Dahlonega, Georgia | Public | ung.edu |
| Cuyamaca College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
11 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Great Basin College (GBC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
11 | Elko, Nevada | Public | gbcnv.edu |
| Sandhills Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Public | sandhills.edu |
| Oregon Institute of Technology (OTI) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Klamath Falls, Oregon | Public | oit.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Colorado Mesa University (CMU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Grand Junction, Colorado | Public | coloradomesa.edu |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | faytechcc.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
7 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Cleveland State Community College (CSCC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Public | clevelandstatecc.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| Texas A & M University (TAMU‑CC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | tamucc.edu |
| Renton Technical College (RTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Renton, Washington | Public | rtc.edu |
| South Texas College (STC) |
Other Award
|
6 | McAllen, Texas | Public | southtexascollege.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Associate's
|
5 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| Clackamas Community College (CCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Oregon City, Oregon | Public | clackamas.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Associate's
|
5 | Dallas, Pennsylvania | Public | wilkesbarre.psu.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
4 | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
4 | Sylmar, California | Public | lamission.edu |
| Dunwoody College of Technology (DCT) |
Other Award
|
4 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | dunwoody.edu |
| Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Kalispell, Montana | Public | fvcc.edu |
| Bismarck State College (BSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Public | bismarckstate.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| Bluefield State University |
Other Award
|
4 | Bluefield, West Virginia | Public | bluefieldstate.edu |
| Glenville State University (GSU) |
Associate's
|
4 | Glenville, West Virginia | Public | glenville.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Troy University (TROY) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Troy, Alabama | Public | troy.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAM) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3 | Monticello, Arkansas | Public | uamont.edu |
| John A Logan College (JALC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Carterville, Illinois | Public | jalc.edu |
| Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) |
Other Award
|
3 | Ruston, Louisiana | Public | latech.edu |
| Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Traverse City, Michigan | Public | nmc.edu |
| Stark State College |
Other Award
|
3 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) |
Residency
|
3 | Walla Walla, Washington | Public | wwcc.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ccbcmd.edu |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) |
Other Award
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | wit.edu |
| Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) |
Other Award
|
1 | Sewell, New Jersey | Public | rcsj.edu |
| Northern Wyoming Community College District (NWCCD) |
Associate's
|
1 | Sheridan, Wyoming | Public | sheridan.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology |
Associate's
|
1 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Public | pct.edu |
| Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Waycross, Georgia | Public | coastalpines.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Surveying Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Surveying Technology degree?
Salaries for Surveying Technology graduates vary by role and location. Cartographers and Photogrammetrists earn a median of $78,380 annually, while Surveyors earn around $72,740. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $88,430 compared to $47,933 in Rhode Island. Approximately 138,600 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Surveying Technology programs?
Currently 79 accredited institutions offer Surveying Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Oklahoma State University (OSU-OKC), Oklahoma City (69 graduates), University of Akron, Main Campus (56 graduates), and Tyler Junior College (TJC) (51 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Surveying Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 973 in 2010 to 1,046 in 2023-24. This represents a 8% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Surveying Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Cartographers and Photogrammetrists, Surveyors, and Drafters, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 138,600 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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