Surveyors Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a surveyors in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $110,450/year ($53.1/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $165K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $100,027 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 51.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $110K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About surveyors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level surveyors (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $110K.Top earners bring in $165K or more - a $105K 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do surveyors make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $110,450 a year - that works out to about $53.1 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,230, and experienced surveyors can clear $164,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $110K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,640/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.5% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $100,027 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.