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Salary comparison

Surveying and Mapping Technicians vs. Industrial Engineers: Who Earns More?

Industrial Engineerss out-earn Surveying and Mapping Technicianss by $48K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Surveying and Mapping Technicianss land at $54,240 and Industrial Engineerss at $102,440. The education gap is real: surveying and mapping technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while industrial engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Surveying and Mapping Technicianss is California ($78,110); for Industrial Engineerss it's Alaska ($156,510).

Surveying and Mapping Technicians
Industrial Engineers
Median salary
$54,240
$102,440
Hourly rate
$26.08/hr
$49.25/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$37,520
$74,370
Senior level (90th %)
$81,630
$159,860
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
58,010
365,740
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
California
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Surveying and Mapping Technicians median pay.

State
Surveying and Mapping Technicians
Industrial Engineers
California
$78,110
$124,600
Alaska
$76,970
$156,510
Washington
$62,720
$129,050
Maryland
$61,600
$119,930
Rhode Island
$60,320
$109,350
Massachusetts
$58,730
$109,420
Wyoming
$58,220
$122,070
Colorado
$57,890
$109,750
Delaware
$57,130
$120,190
New Mexico
$56,210
$128,090
Oregon
$55,790
$128,290
Hawaii
$55,580
$123,800
Arizona
$54,080
$108,280
Louisiana
$49,440
$122,920
West Virginia
$48,530
$108,360

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Surveying and Mapping Technicianss or Industrial Engineerss?

Industrial Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $54,240 for Surveying and Mapping Technicianss versus $102,440 for Industrial Engineerss, a difference of $48K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Surveying and Mapping Technicians or Industrial Engineers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Surveying and Mapping Technicians or Industrial Engineers?

Surveying and Mapping Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Industrial Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Surveying and Mapping Technicianss get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Surveying and Mapping Technicianss at $78,110/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Surveying and Mapping Technicians vs. Industrial Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Surveying and Mapping Technicianss earn $78,110 vs. $124,600 for Industrial Engineerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Industrial Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Surveying and Mapping Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Industrial Engineerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a surveying and mapping techniciansGuide →How to become a industrial engineersGuide →