Surveyor salary in Richmond, VA
Surveyors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $74,150 a year ($35.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,790 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $75,440. Pay here is 4% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $71,070. There are 0.24 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $79,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $58,250 | $28.00 |
| Median | $74,150 | $35.65 |
| 75th percentile | $99,220 | $47.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Average (mean) | $79,720 | $38.33 |
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 | $6,179.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,089.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,851.92 |
| Weekly | $1,425.96 |
| Hourly | $35.65 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $74,920 | 850 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $72,100 | 190 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $65,820 | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,630 | 50 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $95,860 | $46.09 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Landscape Architect | $81,380 | $39.12 |
| Civil Engineer | $91,300 | $43.90 |
| Electrical Engineer | $116,760 | $56.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,180 | $49.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,130 | $50.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,480 | $28.59 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,940 | $32.18 |
| Materials Engineer | $102,440 | $49.25 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for surveyors in the Richmond, VA metro area is $74,150 a year, or $35.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of surveyors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $124,790 a year. The top 25% earn $99,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,000 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $58,250 or less.
How many surveyors work in Richmond, VA?
About 160 surveyors are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.