Surveying and Mapping Technicians Salary
The median pay for a surveying and mapping technicians in North Dakota is $60,870/year ($29.26/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $101K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $68,478 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 25.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $61K get you in North Dakota?
About surveying and mapping technicians
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What this looks like in North Dakota
North Dakota sits well above the national pay line for surveying and mapping technicians, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $54K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,034/month, 24.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, North Dakota offers a genuinely strong financial position for surveying and mapping technicianss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Dakota
Entry-level surveying and mapping technicians (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $101K or more, a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary by metro in North Dakota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $59K | -3% | 40 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a surveying and mapping technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $61K, rent takes 24.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for surveying and mapping technicians in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new surveying and mapping technicians typically earn — is $43K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,602/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 40% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is surveying and mapping technician a high-paying job in North Dakota?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $61K here vs. $54K nationally.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for surveying and mapping technicians?
North Dakota pays $61K median vs. the U.S. average of $54K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $68K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do surveying and mapping technicians make in North Dakota?
The median is $60,870 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,360, and experienced surveying and mapping technicians can clear $101,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,147/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 24.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a surveying and mapping technicians salary go in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median surveying and mapping technicians salary is worth about $68,478 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do surveying and mapping technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.