Surveyors Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The median pay for a surveyors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $122,690/year ($58.99/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $74K at the entry level to $176K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $106,124 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 49.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $123K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About surveyors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level surveyors (10th percentile) start around $74K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K.Top earners bring in $176K or more - a $102K 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do surveyors make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $122,690 a year - that works out to about $58.99 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,060, and experienced surveyors can clear $175,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,255/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 49.7% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median surveyors salary is worth about $106,124 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.