Comments on:
http://my.courthousedirect.com/blog/bid/217136/What-Does-a-Land-Surveyor-Do
"Income Averages and Projections
The most recent available information for 2012 indicates that the middle 50% of all surveyors made yearly average incomes ranging from $31,162 to $47,163. This is lower than statistical reports from May 2008. The top 10% had annual income higher than $53,620.
The May 2008 statistics for average annual incomes gave a report of $55,980 including all surveyors in the workplace. The same report indicates a slightly higher annual income for cartographers and photogrammetrists ($57,980). The difference could indicate that many new hires exceed the long time professionals on the job."
Seems a bit lowish ?
Cheers,
Derek
What Don't We Do?
That would make for a far shorter list.
It does seem "lowish".
When I read median incomes for surveyors that fit those numbers it makes me wonder how many licensed professionals and how many support technicians were included together as "surveyors".
I consider my operation with four or five employees as "average". Most of my employees fit in that pay range. None of them are licensed professionals.
More than a "bit" lowish.
Maybe it includes survey party members as "surveyors".
At my latest "large" employer, an ENR 100 firm, unlicensed party chiefs (and likely to remain unlicensed) were in the $45k to $48k range.
Even with the downturn, I can't imagine those stated figures are correct. There is no big influx of new surveyors. We are not anywhere near a replacement level here.
> It does seem "lowish".
>
> When I read median incomes for surveyors that fit those numbers it makes me wonder how many licensed professionals and how many support technicians were included together as "surveyors".
>
> I consider my operation with four or five employees as "average". Most of my employees fit in that pay range. None of them are licensed professionals.
Checked the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and found both professional and technician listings.
Professional status will be a bit different in most states. Here is the link for the Professional Surveyor page of the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The Surveyor Technician page link.
Remember these are national averages and with the current state of the economy many areas are depressed with the results reflected on national averages.
Also look at the job descriptions and educational requirements. You may not agree with what you find.
I don't think a depressed economy would affect the overall average pay of PLS's ( very minor fluctuations aside). It may affect how easy it is to get a job of course. In Alaska, pay has gone up with inflation. I don't think I could hire an expireanced un-licensed arty chief for less than $25/hr. I wouldn't begin to know what an average PLS wage was, but if I were to guess it would be at least $80k/yr. (assuming you work at least a little overtime).
Pardon my iPhone typing errors. I'm at lunch during the Alaska surveying and mapping conference. The beers at glacial brewery are delicious.