How to Become a Land Surveyor — Salary, Training & Licensing
Nothing gets built until it gets surveyed — the essential profession that defines where everything goes.
88% High Demand
$50K–$100K+
Salary Range
High
Demand
+5%
Job Growth
℞ Prescribed by data · BLS · WEF · McKinsey
Land Surveyor Apprenticeship & Training in Oregon
Licensing & Requirements
Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying PLS license required. Must pass FS and PS exams plus Oregon state-specific exam.
Training Programs
Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) offers one of the best surveying/geomatics programs in the Western US. On-the-job training with licensed firms. Oregon's land use regulations create strong demand.
Begin formal education: associate degree or bachelor's in surveying/geomatics (many states require a degree for licensure)
3
Complete Your EducationAges 20–22
Earn an associate or bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, or civil engineering technology
Programs cover geodesy, boundary law, photogrammetry, GIS, and survey computation
Some states accept experience in lieu of a degree, but education speeds up the licensing path
Continue working part-time with a survey firm to build field experience while studying
4
Pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) ExamAges 22–24
Pass the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam — the first step toward professional licensure
Earn the Survey Intern (SI) or Surveyor-in-Training (SIT) designation
Work under a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) accumulating required experience hours
Most states require 4 years of progressive experience under a PLS before licensing
5
Earn Your Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) LicenseAges 26–28
Pass the NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam
Pass your state-specific surveying exam (most states have one)
Apply for your Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license — this allows you to sign and stamp surveys
A PLS license is a significant professional achievement — it carries legal authority and professional liability
6
Advance Into Management or Open Your Own FirmAges 28+
Open your own surveying firm — a PLS license is the entry ticket to business ownership
Specialize in high-value areas: construction layout, drone mapping, hydrographic surveying, or mining
Move into project management, GIS management, or land development consulting
Licensed surveyors are required for virtually every construction project — demand is constant
Major Employers & Training Programs
Woolpert
National geospatial and surveying firm. Offers career development for surveyors working on infrastructure, federal, and municipal projects across the US.
SAM (Surveying And Mapping)
One of the largest surveying firms in the US. Provides training, mentorship, and career advancement for survey technicians and licensed surveyors.
Stantec
Global engineering and surveying firm. Hires surveyors for transportation, water, energy, and building projects with professional development and licensure support.
State DOTs
State Departments of Transportation employ surveyors for highway, bridge, and infrastructure projects. Stable government positions with benefits, pension, and regular hours.
Local Surveying Firms
Small and mid-size firms are the backbone of the surveying profession. These firms offer hands-on mentorship, diverse project experience, and often the fastest path to licensure.
The surveying profession faces a severe shortage — over 50% of licensed surveyors are within 15 years of retirement, and not enough young people are entering the field. This creates exceptional opportunity for new surveyors.
Surveying requires an associate or bachelor's degree ($10K-$40K), but you earn while you learn by working on survey crews from day one. A licensed PLS earns $60K-$85K and firm owners earn $80K-$140K+. The severe shortage of licensed surveyors means exceptional job security and strong negotiating power. Unlike many college paths, the surveying degree leads directly to a licensed profession with clear demand.
The Real Talk
The Good
Severe national shortage — over half of licensed surveyors retire within 15 years
Professional licensure (PLS) carries legal authority, status, and strong earning potential
Mix of outdoor fieldwork and office technology — variety keeps the work interesting
Clear path to business ownership once licensed — every project needs a surveyor
Cutting-edge technology (drones, LiDAR, GPS, GIS) keeps the profession evolving
Essential for every construction project — surveyors are always needed
The Hard Parts
Licensing path is long — typically 6-10 years from entry to PLS license
Outdoor fieldwork in all weather, terrain, and conditions can be physically demanding
Liability risk — surveyors stamp legal documents and can be held professionally responsible
Rural survey work may require travel and time away from home
The profession requires continuous education to keep up with technology changes
Is It Worth It?
Land surveying is a hidden gem of a profession. The national shortage is so severe that the profession is actively recruiting, and licensed surveyors have incredible job security and earning potential. The work is fascinating — part outdoor adventure, part high-tech precision, part legal detective work (tracing property boundaries through centuries of deeds and records). The licensing path is long but worth it: once you're a PLS, you have a credential that opens doors to firm ownership, consulting, and a career that's essential to literally everything that gets built. If you enjoy math, technology, and the outdoors, surveying is one of the smartest career choices you can make.
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