Surveyor salary in Washington
Surveyors in Washington earn a median of $85,610 a year ($41.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,620 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $75,440. Washington ranks 5th of 50 states for surveyors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.22 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $95,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| 25th percentile | $76,000 | $36.54 |
| Median | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| 75th percentile | $119,060 | $57.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,620 | $64.72 |
| Average (mean) | $95,530 | $45.93 |
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 | $7,134.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,567.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,292.69 |
| Weekly | $1,646.35 |
| Hourly | $41.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surveyor salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $111,400 | 30 |
| Bellingham, WA | $106,590 | 40 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $98,610 | 320 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $91,060 | 40 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $85,610 | 390 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $78,490 | 40 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Landscape Architect | $76,720 | $36.88 |
| Civil Engineer | $110,000 | $52.89 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $132,710 | $63.81 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $158,370 | $76.14 |
| Engineers, All Other | $134,570 | $64.70 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $93,930 | $45.16 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $73,000 | $35.10 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $130,270 | $62.63 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for surveyors in Washington is $85,610 a year, or $41.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Washington?
The top 10% of surveyors in Washington earn at least $134,620 a year. The top 25% earn $119,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,860 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $76,000 or less.
How many surveyors work in Washington?
About 780 surveyors are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.