SURVEYING TECHNOLOGY

Surveying is used for all kinds of purposes, including:

• Locating property boundaries.

• Creating maps of land, buildings, transportation routes, forests, bodies of water, etc.

• Marking where construction needs to occur for transportation, travelways, buildings, mines, sports/entertainment complexes, etc.

Surveyors are employed in various industries and with different kinds of entities, including:

• Surveying, Engineering, and Architecture companies

• Construction, mining, and utility companies

• Governmental branches like county surveying and road offices, state department of transportations, Bureau of Land Management, Forestry Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, etc.

In surveying, there is the possibility to become professionally licensed.  This is similar to what is required of professional engineers and architects.

It requires taking certain amounts and kinds of math and science classes in addition to the required surveying classes, plus taking a couple national and state tests, and working a certain amount of time under the supervision of another licensed surveyor.

Becoming licensed would allow you to supervise and certify the work of other surveyors, be director of surveying divisions or companies, and/or run your own business.  Pay range for unlicensed individuals starts out in the range of $45,000 - $50,000 a year and increases with time and experience.  Pay range for a licensed individual ranges anywhere from $60,000 - $100,000+ a year.

You can make a successful career as either licensed or unlicensed.

1 year Certificate

Entry Level - Field/Office Technician

2 year ASCT Degree

Customizable for:

Crew Chief   and/or   Professional License 

4 year BS Degree

Project Manager/Professional License

Professional Licensing Courses

Degree Plans

Minimum Education Requirements: Associates degree in any subject.

• Surveying Courses: 27 credits

• Math Courses:  12 credits  (at least 3 credits in Calculus)

• Physical Science Courses:  11 credits (at least 5 credits in Physics)

Work Experience Requirement: (time worked while attending school can count)

• With 2 year degree:  6 years

• With non-board approved Bachelor degree: 5 years

• With board-approved Bachelor year degree: 4 years

*Other higher degrees require less time.

Exam Requirement:

• FS (Fundamentals of Surveying): Typically taken upon completion of education.

• PS (Principles/Practice of Surveying): Typically taken upon completion of work experience.

• Indiana State Exam: Typically taken with the PS Exam.