Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary in California
Surveying and Mapping Technicians in California earn a median of $78,110 a year ($37.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,270 for the top 10%. That is 44% higher than the national median of $54,240. California ranks 1st of 50 states for surveying and mapping technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.18 surveying and mapping technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $81,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveying and mapping technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 25th percentile | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Median | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| 75th percentile | $102,770 | $49.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,270 | $57.34 |
| Average (mean) | $81,840 | $39.34 |
Half of surveying and mapping technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,509.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,254.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,004.23 |
| Weekly | $1,502.12 |
| Hourly | $37.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $101,270 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $92,700 | 860 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,360 | 360 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $81,120 | 250 |
| Visalia, CA | $80,680 | 40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $79,450 | 50 |
| Vallejo, CA | $78,790 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $78,110 | 440 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $76,560 | 140 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $75,990 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $72,230 | 380 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $71,940 | 60 |
| Modesto, CA | $64,890 | 50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $64,720 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $61,720 | 140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $61,090 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for surveying and mapping technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $78,110 |
| Alaska | $76,970 |
| Minnesota | $73,190 |
| Washington | $62,720 |
| Maryland | $61,600 |
| North Dakota | $60,870 |
| New Jersey | $60,720 |
| Montana | $60,330 |
| Ohio | $60,330 |
| Rhode Island | $60,320 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,480 | $38.69 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $83,490 | $40.14 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,070 | $38.02 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $87,390 | $42.02 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Drafters, All Other | $73,390 | $35.28 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $99,000 | $47.59 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surveying and mapping technicians make in California?
The median salary for surveying and mapping technicians in California is $78,110 a year, or $37.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveying and mapping technicians make in California?
The top 10% of surveying and mapping technicians in California earn at least $119,270 a year. The top 25% earn $102,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveying and mapping technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,000 a year, and a quarter of surveying and mapping technicians earn $61,090 or less.
How many surveying and mapping technicians work in California?
About 3,340 surveying and mapping technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.