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Graduate Land Surveyor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Land Surveyor

Medford, OR · On-site +1

$50K - $104K/yr

Successful completion of at least One year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester ...

Land Surveyor

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$50K/yr

Successful completion of at least One year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester ...

Land Surveyor

Redding, CA · On-site

$50K/yr

Successful completion of at least One year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester ...

Land Surveyor

Billings, MT · On-site

$50K/yr

Successful completion of at least One year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester ...

Land Surveyor

Roseburg, OR · On-site

$50K/yr

Successful completion of at least One year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester ...

Land Surveyor

Lakewood, CO · On-site

$50K/yr

Successful completion of at least One year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester ...

Overview: As a Land Surveyor, you will be responsible for conducting land surveys in diverse ... High school graduate/GED required. * Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience * Proficiency in ...

Land Surveyor

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$24 - $30/hr

Overview: As a Land Surveyor, you will be responsible for conducting land surveys in diverse ... High school graduate/GED required. * Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience * Proficiency in ...

Land Surveyor

Houston, TX · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Overview: As a Land Surveyor, you will be responsible for conducting land surveys in diverse ... High school graduate/GED required. * Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience * Proficiency in ...

Overview: As a Land Surveyor, you will be responsible for conducting land surveys in diverse ... High school graduate/GED required. * Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience * Proficiency in ...

Overview: As a Land Surveyor, you will be responsible for conducting land surveys in diverse ... High school graduate/GED required. * Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience * Proficiency in ...

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Showing results 1-20

Graduate Land Surveyor information

See salary details

$31.5K

$74.7K

$120.5K

How much do graduate land surveyor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate land surveyor in the United States is $74,746.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $91,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Graduate Land Surveyor vs Land Surveyor?

AspectGraduate Land SurveyorLand Surveyor
CredentialsTypically holds a degree in surveying or geomatics; may be working towards licensureLicensed professional with required certifications and experience
Work EnvironmentAssists in fieldwork and office tasks under supervisionPerforms independent surveying, fieldwork, and project management
Industry UsageEntry-level role in surveying firms, government agencies, or constructionFull professional role in similar settings

The main difference is that a Graduate Land Surveyor is an entry-level position often working under supervision and working towards licensure, while a Land Surveyor is a licensed professional capable of independent work. Both roles are essential in surveying projects, but the graduate role is a stepping stone toward becoming a fully licensed surveyor.

What are some common challenges faced by graduate land surveyors when transitioning from academic studies to professional practice?

Graduate land surveyors often find the transition to professional practice challenging due to the need to adapt theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, such as managing equipment in varied field conditions and dealing with unforeseen site complications. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, communicating technical findings to non-surveyors, and adhering to strict regulatory standards are also common hurdles. However, most organizations offer mentorship, on-the-job training, and gradual responsibility increases to support new graduates as they develop their technical and interpersonal skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate land surveyor?

To thrive as a Graduate Land Surveyor, you need a degree in surveying, geomatics, or a related field, along with a solid understanding of mathematics and geography. Familiarity with GIS software, CAD systems, and surveying instruments like total stations and GPS units is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you interpret data accurately and collaborate with clients and colleagues. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring precise measurements, compliance with regulations, and successful project outcomes in the field of land surveying.

What does a graduate land surveyor do?

A Graduate Land Surveyor assists in measuring and mapping land, property boundaries, and construction sites using specialized equipment and software. They work under the supervision of licensed surveyors, helping to collect, analyze, and interpret survey data. Their duties often include fieldwork, drafting survey plans, and preparing reports, making this role essential in construction, engineering, and land development projects. This position provides valuable hands-on experience for graduates seeking to become fully licensed land surveyors.
More about Graduate Land Surveyor jobs
Infographic showing various Graduate Land Surveyor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,746 per year, or $35.9 per hour.

Job description

This position is a Land Surveyor GS-1373-7/9/11 at the Bureau of Land Management in the following locations:
Atascadero, CA
Redding, CA
This position is also open to status candidates under announcement BLM-CA-MP-26-13021898-AF. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/12/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
To qualify for this position, you must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (see education section) AND the specialized experience for the grade level to which you are applying:
Minimum Qualifications GS-1373-7:
A. Experience:
In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement (see education section), you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience may include: 1) Functioning as a member of a survey crew (2) Establish or monument survey corners and boundaries; and (3) Utilizing surveying equipment and instruments, such as global positioning systems or total stations. Your resume must include hours per week worked. -OR-
B. Education:Successful completion of at least One year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. You must include transcripts. -OR-
C. Combination of education and experience: A combination of qualifying education and experience. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. This experience is described in my resume/application, and I will submit copies of my college transcripts. To combine education and experience, first take education and divide total credits earned by total needed to graduate. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. -OR-
D. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA):Successfully completed a bachelor's degree in a directly related field AND meet one of the following: (1) Class Standing: rank in the upper 3rd of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on the completed courses; OR (2) Grad-Point Average (GPA): earn a GPA of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field, or the required courses completed during the final two years. Note: GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, for example, 2.95 = 3.0, 2.94 = 2.9; OR (3) Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society.


Minimum Qualifications GS-1373-9:
A. Experience
: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement (see education section), you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience may include: 1) Interpreting survey records; (2) Recovering and measuring physical survey evidence; (3) Completing survey computations; (4) Operating, adjusting, or maintaining survey equipment and instruments, such as global positioning systems or total stations; and (5) Planning and conducting surveying projects. Your resume must include hours per week worked. -OR-
B. Education:Successful completion of at least 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. You must include transcripts. -OR-
C. Combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, first take A and B above. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
Minimum Qualification GS-1373-11:
A. Experience:
In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement (see education section), you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience may include: (1) Interpreting survey records; (2) Recovering and measuring physical survey evidence; (3) Completing survey computations; (4) Operating, adjusting, or maintaining survey equipment and instruments, such as global positioning systems or total stations; and (5) Planning and conducting surveying projects. (6) Training lower graded surveyors in principles and the execution of surveys (7) Performing survey work in accordance with The Manual of Surveying Instructions and the Public Land Survey System. Your resume must include hours per week worked. -OR-
B. Education: Successful completion of at least three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. You must include transcripts. -OR-
C. Combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, first take A and B above. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education:

The 1373 job series has a mandatory education requirement.
Individual Occupational Requirement 1373 series:
A. Degree:
land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis. The civil engineering major must have included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. You must submit transcripts. -OR-
B. Combination of education and experience:courses equivalent to a major in land surveying or civil engineering as described in paragraph A, plus appropriate experience or additional education. -OR-.
C: License: Must have a current registration as a land surveyor in a State, territory, or the District of Columbia obtained by written examination. Registration must have been obtained under conditions outlined in the National Council of Engineering Examiners (NCEE) Unified Model Law for Registration of Surveyors. (You must show evidence of registration based on successful completion of the written examinations.)
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Employment Type: OTHER