Surveyor salary in Virginia
Surveyors in Virginia earn a median of $71,070 a year ($34.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,600 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $75,440. Virginia ranks 34th of 50 states for surveyors pay. There are 0.33 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| 25th percentile | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Median | $71,070 | $34.17 |
| 75th percentile | $94,330 | $45.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,600 | $52.69 |
| Average (mean) | $76,510 | $36.78 |
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 | $5,922.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,961.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,733.46 |
| Weekly | $1,366.73 |
| Hourly | $34.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surveyor salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $74,920 | 850 |
| Richmond, VA | $74,150 | 160 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $86,660 | $41.66 |
| Landscape Architect | $81,380 | $39.13 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,180 | $50.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,030 | $57.23 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,550 | $49.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $148,160 | $71.23 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $98,410 | $47.31 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,990 | $57.69 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,450 | $30.51 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $56,760 | $27.29 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for surveyors in Virginia is $71,070 a year, or $34.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Virginia?
The top 10% of surveyors in Virginia earn at least $109,600 a year. The top 25% earn $94,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,770 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $59,860 or less.
How many surveyors work in Virginia?
About 1,360 surveyors are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.