Surveyor salary in Iowa
Surveyors in Iowa earn a median of $77,090 a year ($37.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,670 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $75,440. Iowa ranks 21st of 50 states for surveyors pay. There are 0.29 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| 25th percentile | $68,580 | $32.97 |
| Median | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| 75th percentile | $102,220 | $49.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,670 | $62.34 |
| Average (mean) | $86,740 | $41.70 |
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 | $6,424.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,212.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,965 |
| Weekly | $1,482.50 |
| Hourly | $37.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surveyor salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $99,030 | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,860 | 150 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $76,190 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $64,360 | 160 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $96,810 | $46.54 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Landscape Architect | $87,270 | $41.96 |
| Industrial Engineer | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| Engineers, All Other | $103,090 | $49.56 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,220 | $30.87 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,670 | $34.46 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for surveyors in Iowa is $77,090 a year, or $37.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of surveyors in Iowa earn at least $129,670 a year. The top 25% earn $102,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,830 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $68,580 or less.
How many surveyors work in Iowa?
About 450 surveyors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.