Beginner "Land Surveying and Mapping Technology"

My first thoughts are that you either want to be a land speculator or surveyor. Either way you go, it will take time to get a return on investment, either financially or through effort.

If you are looking to become an RPLS you will have to meet the educational and experience requirements to even sit for the exam. Going to the state website will provide you with the specifics on that route.

I've been surveying for 40 years and have been licensed for 30 of them but not in Texas and started out with zero experience. The job market, just like the value of land, will depend on the state of the economy and the region you are working in. Is $100K/year possible as a licensed surveyor? Sure it is, but that depends on your time and experience in a responsible charge position. Even more is possible with time in and solid experience.

When it comes to learning zoning requirements and land use issues, you don't need to be a surveyor to learn about them, at least where I am, here in NJ, most towns have that info published on their web page. You might have to learn the legal lingo but, as a surveyor, you generally will have no involvement in that, that's more of an engineering issue.

It would be rare that, as a surveyor & speculator, that you are going to happen upon a quality piece of land to snatch up, unless it's a subdivision where somebody wants to sell a lot. Most of the property that we survey has already been under a sales contract.

@chris-bouffard I appreciate your insight. I am aware that it will take time unlike the cdl route, you attend school for 7 weeks and can go right in to making 60-90k in a very unpleasent way but it's there. Again I'm weighing the Pros & Cons!

Aside from the state website that spells out the requirements, don't trust anything posted online about income potential and the like.

1. Where did your land surveying career start ? ( Surveyor In training, Instrument Man/ Rodman , Autocad Drafter, Field Technician)

Started as a Rodperson (Rodman). My father told me "don't become a Civil Engineer" Haha!!!

2. What is the general path to becoming a Registered Professional Land Surveyor from nothing to RPLS ?

That depends on what the state requirements are for that state. Some require different levels of education and some allow for no educational, but many years of experience. Personally I'd recommend both to becoming licensed, some things one can learn from a book, others are learned through experience on the job.

3. As a RPLS or a Surveyor In Training how strong is the job market?

Depends on the state and the economy, but I would say very strong at the moment.

4. Can this career teach me about finding land or investing in land for face value and how close is this career to real estate?

This one could lead to an "ethics" issue depending on the state one is licensed in. Learn everything about the state laws and ethics that are involved, then make the assessment that you are comfortable with.

5.And lastly, Can you live comfortably working as a RPLS or Surveyor In Training only (no outside/secondary jobs needed) (60k – 100k) ?

Depends on the state, economy and what your personal lifestyle / spending habits are.

Hope this helps, typed from a Samsung Galaxy far far away!!!

If you want to take the quickest and easiest route to getting licensed as a surveyor in Texas, your best bet is to enroll in a university that offers an accredited degree program for surveying and mapping and plan on a total of ten years or so with a degree and responsible charge experience to qualify to sit for the exam. I think in Texas they require a minimum of a 2 year AAS degree. Either way it's a commitment and it takes time. I don't know of any guarantees on income potential which is highly dependent on the market your in and the economy. Right now competent professional surveyors are doing well, but recessions hit hard in this line of work.

Surveying is a very fine and rewarding profession. I haven't worked a day in 35 years, it's been all fun. But for your stated goals I might suggest a career in construction management.

I attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology and studied Civil Engineering. I got started on a field crew as a helper. Advanced to junior party chief after about a year. It didn't happen one day, it was a matter of taking on more responsibility day by day. Got licensed in Oregon at 8 years, in Washington at 11. I was probably about 17 years in before I really got to do things the way I alone wanted them done.

The job market right now is really strong. It hasn't always been so. Right now there is a big shortage of willing talent.

This is helpful for sure, and I'm not a high maintenance person, I am currently in school for Land surveying it's a 2 year program but since I've came in with a bachelors degree it's cut that program in half!

I can believe the recession it's hard. I am currently in school for the 2 year AAS certification, I came into this school with a bachelors so the certification pathway of 2 years has been cut in a half for me!

I appreciate the advice, It' sounds like this career path is rewarding in the long run, The willing talent piece is very hard to simply answer. I believe it's a generation thing, My generation of talent is making Millions of dollars by viewership and online endeavors. Tell them to work a job for 8-10 years to make 100-150k a year, when it takes them 5-10 years to be making 100k a month from using a camera and also the internet! By no means am I bashing anyone or there lifestyle, but it's just a different time now is all! Mr.Norman I respect you career and experience and again thank you for sharing your insight!

I went to college for two years, but only took one surveying course. Learned all the rest on the job over about 10 years' time. Licensed in Minnesota in 1982, one of the last individuals to be licensed there without a college degree.

A copy of the Texas laws and regulations is attached below. The material on requirements for licensure begins on Page 32 of this .pdf.

Looks as though they require 32 semester hours of surveying coursework. You could make sure your program will fulfill that requirement. You could also talk to someone at the State Board and double-check-- https://pels.texas.gov/

After meeting the college requirement, these regulations say you need to
work at least a year under the supervision of a licensed surveyor. Then
you can take the SIT exam. Then you have to work another two years to
qualify to take the PLS exam.

Best wishes for your future career. It won't be boring.

Great Info here, I am currently in a survey program that will fulfill all of the school requirements to opp into taking the exams. So this information is a plus. I'm currently looking to jump start my survey career today as I'm applying to several places and looking for internships!