What Does a Surveyor Do?
Surveyors typically work for construction companies, government agencies and engineering companies to survey plots of land and draft land blueprints. They work closely with field staff to inspect land for commercial or residential properties and with Civil Engineers to help them visualize the dimensions for a plot of land. Their job is to come up with criteria for surveying plots of land. They may also be responsible for referencing existing property records to settle disputes between Landowners.
Surveyor Skills and Qualifications
Surveyors need certain skills to succeed in their role, including:
- Communication: Surveyors must have excellent written and verbal skills to communicate with city employees, clients and legal council.
- Problem-solving: The ability to solve problems is crucial in Surveyors, as they constantly deal with problems in such tasks as planning a real estate project or identifying who owns what portion of a property.
- Mathematics: Mathematical skills are necessary for Surveyors to complete fast and accurate calculations.
- Project management: Detailed organization and time management skills help Surveyors work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Surveyor Salary Expectations
The average yearly salary for a Surveyor is $16.79 per hour. Surveyor salaries may range between $7.25 and $47.25 per hour, depending on the type of employment, geographical location and the experience of the Surveyor. Here are some examples of other salary factors:
- A Surveyor may choose to work on a part-time or contractual basis rather than full-time.
- A Surveyor with a lot of experience working for a real estate lawyer can expect to earn a higher wage than an entry-level surveyor who works for the local government.
- Some Surveyors will spend the majority of their workweek in an office, whereas others will work primarily in the field.
Surveyor Education and Training Requirements
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is often required to work as a Surveyor. Some aspiring Surveyors will complete a surveying program that teaches them how to operate surveying equipment and make data calculations. Other students might complete a degree in a related industry like civil engineering.
All states require that a Surveyor be licensed before working. To become licensed, aspiring Surveyors must complete their education and then work under the supervision of a licensed Surveyor. Then, they must successfully complete the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying test. Licensed Surveyors must attend continuing education to keep their license.
Surveyor Experience Requirements
Surveyors gain experience while working under a licensed Surveyor. The required amount of time will vary, depending on the state. Some states require them to work under a licensed Surveyor for a minimum of 10 years before becoming licensed. Hiring managers may prefer to hire a licensed Surveyor and train additional Surveyors at the same time.
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Job Description Samples for Similar Positions
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