To become a surveyor in the US, you typically need a bachelor's degree in land surveying or a related field, several years of work under a licensed surveyor and a state license. In the UK, building and quantity surveyors usually take a degree or apprenticeship approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), then work towards chartered status through the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
The word surveyor covers different jobs on each side of the Atlantic. In the US, it usually means land surveying: measuring property lines and sites. In the UK, building surveyors and quantity surveyors are two of the biggest roles. This page covers both.
US figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook and the UK routes from the National Careers Service, all read on 26 October 2026.
US surveyor pay and jobs
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $75,440 a year, $36.27 an hour |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $46,880 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $125,590 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 52,000 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 6%, faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 3,100 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey.
Getting licensed in the US
- Earn a degree. Most surveyors need a bachelor's degree in land surveying or a related field such as engineering or natural resources. Some employers hire people with an associate's degree and extra training.
- Work under a licensed surveyor. Entry-level surveyors often work under a licensed surveyor for several years, through an internship or apprenticeship, before they qualify for a license.
- Sit the licensing exam. You may need a bachelor's degree from an accredited program to take it.
- Get licensed. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require surveyors to be licensed before they provide services to the public, including certifying legal documents that show property lines.
The technician route people overlook
You don't have to start with a degree. BLS says some surveyors begin as surveying technicians and become licensed after many years of work experience under a licensed surveyor. Requirements vary by state, so check with your state's licensing agency before you plan around it.
The UK has a similar door: you can start as a surveying technician or assistant, often through a Level 3 apprenticeship, and study part time towards a full surveying qualification.
Where US surveyors work and what it pays
| Employer | Share of jobs | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural, engineering and related services | 71% | $73,320 |
| Construction | 10 in every 100 | $73,360 |
| Government | 9 in every 100 | $94,970 |
| Mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction | 1 in every 100 | $80,080 |
Government jobs paid the highest median, as of October 2026. Expect a mix of fieldwork and office work: walking long distances, standing for long periods, carrying instruments up hills and working in all weather. Projects in resource extraction can mean long spells away from home. Drones now speed up some fieldwork, and this guide to drone mapping software shows the tools involved.
UK routes: building and quantity surveying
| Role | Starting salary | Experienced salary | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building surveyor | £28,000 | £65,000 | 37 to 40 a week |
| Quantity surveyor | £26,000 | £70,000 | 37 to 40 a week |
Those National Careers Service salaries are as of October 2026. The main routes are:
- A RICS-approved degree in surveying, construction, civil or building engineering, usually needing 2 to 3 A levels.
- A postgraduate conversion course if your degree is in an unrelated subject.
- A Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship such as Chartered Surveyor or Construction Quantity Surveyor. Quantity surveying apprenticeships take between 3 and 5 years.
- A graduate trainee scheme or distance learning with the University of the Built Environment.
Chartered status comes through the RICS APC once you've built enough experience. Quantity surveyors spend much of their time on costs and contracts, so tools like construction estimating software become part of daily work.
Skills surveying employers want
- Maths knowledge and analytical thinking
- Knowledge of building and construction
- Careful attention to detail
- Using your initiative on site
- Clear spoken communication with clients and contractors
You'll notice the list doesn't change much between the US and UK. Whichever country you're in, you'll measure, check and report, and you'll explain what you've found to people who aren't surveyors. If you're still at school, maths is the subject that'll help most. If you're changing career, it's worth asking a local firm whether you could shadow a surveyor for a day, because you'll quickly see whether the mix of site and desk work suits you.
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Moving up
In the UK, building surveyors can move into project or senior management, partnership in private practice, self-employed consultancy or building control. Quantity surveyors can become senior quantity surveyors or move into project management, supply chain management or consultancy, and specialise in planning, risk or contract disputes. Understanding how project management works in construction helps with that step.
My verdict
Surveying is a steady, practical career with outdoor and office work in roughly equal parts. In the US, a land surveying degree is the fastest route to a license, but the technician path is real if you'd rather earn first. In the UK, decide early whether building or quantity surveying suits you, then look hard at a degree apprenticeship, because you'll qualify while you're paid and build the experience RICS asks for at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a surveyor?
In the US, most surveyors complete a bachelor's degree and then work for several years under a licensed surveyor. UK quantity surveying degree apprenticeships take between 3 and 5 years.
Do surveyors need a license?
Yes in the US. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require surveyors to be licensed before they provide services to the public.
How much do surveyors make?
BLS reports a median of $75,440 a year in May 2025. UK building surveyors earn £28,000 to £65,000 and quantity surveyors £26,000 to £70,000, according to the National Careers Service, as of October 2026.
Can you become a surveyor without a degree?
Yes. Some US surveyors start as surveying technicians and qualify after years of supervised work, and UK apprenticeships let you train while you work.
What is the RICS APC?
The Assessment of Professional Competence is the RICS scheme you go through to become a chartered surveyor.
What is the job outlook for surveyors?
BLS projects 6% growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 3,100 openings a year.
