Surveyors do different types of work. Some measure land, air space, and water areas. They describe where a certain area of land is. They explain what it looks like, and how much is there. They put these facts in deeds, leases, and other legal documents. They also define air space for airports. In addition, they measure construction and mineral sites.
Hours: Surveyors usually work an 8-hour day, 5 days a week.
Opportunities: Most of the jobs are those working for engineers, architects, and surveying firms. Some of the jobs are in Federal, State, and local government agencies. A small number of surveyors were self-employed.
Pay: The middle half of all surveyors earned between $35,720 and $63,990 in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $26,690. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $79,910.
Training: A 4-year college degree is becoming more important for surveyors and related workers. Junior colleges, technical institutes, and vocational schools offer 1-, 2-, and 3-year programs in surveying and surveying technology.
Citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition , Surveyors, Cartographers and Photogrammetrists, and Surveying and Mapping Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos040.htm (visited July 22, 2009 ).
