Surveying Technicians play an important role in the fields of land management, construction engineering, geographic information systems (GIS), transportation planning, etc. in the United States. They are responsible for collecting, analyzing and processing geographic and spatial data, and assisting surveyors in completing various surveying tasks. With the acceleration of urbanization and infrastructure construction, the demand for surveying technicians is also growing, making this profession an ideal choice for many people to enter the technical industry.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of becoming a surveying technician to help you better engage in the surveying technology industry.
The benefits of engaging in the surveying technology industry
1. The demand for personnel continues to grow
The prospects for surveying technicians are broad. With the advancement of urbanization, the increase in infrastructure construction, the improvement of environmental protection needs and technological innovation, the surveying industry will continue to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is expected that the employment of surveying technicians will increase by 6% from 2023 to 2033 , which is higher than the average for all occupations, and there will be an average of about 7,600 surveying technician job vacancies each year.
2. Generous salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for surveying technicians in the United States will be approximately $48,940 in 2023, but this salary range varies by experience, location, work field, and employer. Experienced surveying technicians or those working in specific fields (such as the oil and gas industry) may earn more.
• Entry-level salary: New surveying technicians generally make between $35,000 and $40,000 per year.
• Experienced technicians: Experienced professionals may make between $50,000 and $60,000 per year, or even more .
• Advanced technical positions: In specific industries or advanced positions, salaries may exceed $70,000 .
3. A seamless career path to senior positions
The career path of surveying technicians usually includes gradual promotion from grassroots technical positions to senior surveying engineers or project managers. For experienced surveying technicians, there are great opportunities for promotion.
4. Low requirements and paid training
Surveying technicians usually need a high school diploma and usually learn on the job under the supervision of key staff.So you can also get a salary while training and learning.
Study and training of surveying technology
1. Open to everyone
Surveying technicians usually need a high school diploma, and there is no age limit. You can also study while working. And online course training can also be learned flexibly at your own pace.
2. More choices
In addition to some vocational schools, community colleges or engineering colleges that offer full-time surveying technology courses, there are also some platforms that provide online surveying technology training, industry certification agencies provide professional certification training, and on-site internships, training and learning while working.
3. Surveying technician certification
Certification is usually not required to work in the surveying technology industry, but some employers prefer to hire people with education or relevant certificates. Therefore, it is crucial to take courses and training, which can help you obtain the Certified Surveying Technician Certificate provided by the National Association of Professional Surveyors or the GIS Professional Certification provided by the GIS Certification Association. This will make you more competitive in this industry.
Experience sharing from professionals in the surveying technology industry
Jack's story: from intern to senior surveying engineer
• Career development process:
Starting stage: At the beginning, Jack started as an intern, responsible for auxiliary surveying, equipment management and data collation. He spent a lot of time learning how to use total stations, GPS devices, and common software such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D. During this time, he realized that surveying is not only about the application of technology, but also about the process of cooperation, communication, and teamwork.
Challenges and Growth: Jack mentioned that the initial work was not easy because it was necessary to conduct surveys in complex terrain environments while ensuring the accuracy of the data. Surveying work is often high-intensity physical labor, but he gradually mastered how to improve work efficiency and reduce errors.
Technological Progress and Learning: Over time, Jack turned to more complex projects, such as using laser scanners and drones for 3D modeling and terrain analysis. Technological advances have made his work more efficient and accurate. Jack emphasized that continuous learning and technological updates are very important for surveying engineers, especially in the context of the increasing popularity of new surveying technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicle surveying (UAV) and remote sensing technology.
• Career Advice:
Jack recommends that anyone entering the surveying industry should cultivate a strong curiosity and learning spirit because the technology and tools in this industry are developing rapidly. Learning more new technologies and understanding the latest surveying software and tools are the key to improving professional competitiveness. At the same time, he stressed the importance of communication with clients and team members, because surveying and mapping work is not just about operating equipment, but more about understanding project requirements, processing data and accurately communicating it to all parties.
Conclusion
If you want to study and train in a professional school such as a vocational school, community college or engineering college, you can visit Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) and Tarrant County College.
If you want to be more flexible in time or want to continue learning while working, you can visit Coursera, Udemy.
