Surveyor salary in Modesto, CA
Surveyors in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $99,270 a year ($47.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,110 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $75,440. Pay here is 6% lower than the California statewide median of $105,330. There are 0.32 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $104,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| 25th percentile | $74,900 | $36.01 |
| Median | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| 75th percentile | $129,350 | $62.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,110 | $73.13 |
| Average (mean) | $104,370 | $50.18 |
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 | $8,272.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,136.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,818.08 |
| Weekly | $1,909.04 |
| Hourly | $47.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surveyor salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Surveyor pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $124,810 | $60.00 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,000 | $48.56 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,560 | $47.38 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,990 | $50.48 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| Engineers, All Other | $111,840 | $53.77 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,970 | $52.87 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $95,630 | $45.98 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $107,960 | $51.90 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Drafters, All Other | $68,850 | $33.10 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, CA
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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for surveyors in the Modesto, CA metro area is $99,270 a year, or $47.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of surveyors in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $152,110 a year. The top 25% earn $129,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,150 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $74,900 or less.
How many surveyors work in Modesto, CA?
About 60 surveyors are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.