Surveyor salary in California
Surveyors in California earn a median of $105,330 a year ($50.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,430 for the top 10%. That is 40% higher than the national median of $75,440. California ranks 1st of 50 states for surveyors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.25 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $110,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| 25th percentile | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Median | $105,330 | $50.64 |
| 75th percentile | $134,250 | $64.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,430 | $77.13 |
| Average (mean) | $110,220 | $52.99 |
Half of surveyors 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 | $8,777.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,388.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,051.15 |
| Weekly | $2,025.58 |
| Hourly | $50.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surveyor salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Yuba City, CA | $133,270 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $128,600 | 370 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $125,060 | 630 |
| Redding, CA | $124,160 | 40 |
| Vallejo, CA | $123,590 | 50 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $120,000 | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $117,160 | 170 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $107,700 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $107,230 | 190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $102,210 | 430 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $101,950 | 970 |
| Salinas, CA | $101,120 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $100,930 | 100 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $100,920 | 130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $100,510 | 480 |
| Modesto, CA | $99,270 | 60 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $98,810 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $88,050 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for surveyors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,330 |
| Alaska | $99,550 |
| Oregon | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 |
| Washington | $85,610 |
| Montana | $84,610 |
| Minnesota | $83,620 |
| Maine | $83,200 |
| Delaware | $82,890 |
| Nevada | $82,460 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $108,540 | $52.19 |
| Landscape Architect | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $102,780 | $49.41 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Industrial Engineer | $124,600 | $59.90 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $130,900 | $62.94 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Electrical Engineer | $144,040 | $69.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $185,180 | $89.03 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,620 | $75.78 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,480 | $38.69 |
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 17-1022. 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 surveyor make in California?
The median salary for surveyors in California is $105,330 a year, or $50.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in California?
The top 10% of surveyors in California earn at least $160,430 a year. The top 25% earn $134,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,310 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $78,500 or less.
How many surveyors work in California?
About 4,520 surveyors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.