Surveyors Salary in California
The median pay for a surveyors in California is $103,790/year ($49.9/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $159K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $104K get you in California?
About surveyors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level surveyors (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K.Top earners bring in $159K or more - a $101K spread from bottom to top.
Surveyors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $104K | +43% | 3,750 |
| New Jersey | $93K | +28% | 950 |
| Washington | $88K | +21% | 800 |
| Oregon | $88K | +21% | 580 |
| South Dakota | $86K | +19% | 170 |
| Alaska | $86K | +18% | 290 |
| Delaware | $85K | +17% | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $84K | +16% | 1,800 |
| Nevada | $83K | +14% | 570 |
| Indiana | $81K | +11% | 1,000 |
| Maine | $81K | +11% | 300 |
| Hawaii | $80K | +10% | 120 |
| Montana | $79K | +9% | 360 |
| New York | $79K | +9% | 1,570 |
| North Dakota | $79K | +8% | 310 |
Track surveyors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do surveyors make in California?
The median is $103,790 a year - that works out to about $49.9 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,330, and experienced surveyors can clear $158,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $104K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,301/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 34.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a surveyors salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median surveyors salary is worth about $103,790 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do surveyors 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.