Surveying and Mapping Technicians - Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of a surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of topographical maps.
The national average annual salary for this occupation is $40,370 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $19.41. The average wage in New Mexico is slightly below the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $19.29 and most workers in this occupation earn between $12.29 and $22.78 per hour.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| Area | Entry Wage | Average Wage | Experienced Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Annual | $40,370 | ||
| National Hourly | $19.41 | ||
| Statewide Annual | $25,564 | $40,114 | $47,389 |
| Statewide Hourly | $12.29 | $19.29 | $22.78 |
| Metro Areas | |||
| Albuquerque Annual | $31,295 | $44,132 | $50,551 |
| Hourly | $15.05 | $21.22 | $24.30 |
| Farmington Annual | $20,129 | $40,251 | $50,312 |
| Hourly | $9.68 | $19.35 | $24.19 |
| Las Cruces Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Santa Fe Annual | $30,063 | $42,505 | $48,725 |
| Hourly | $14.45 | $20.43 | $23.43 |
| Regions | |||
| Central Annual | $31,295 | $44,132 | $50,551 |
| Hourly | $15.05 | $21.22 | $24.30 |
| Eastern Annual | $23,624 | $35,813 | $41,907 |
| Hourly | $11.36 | $17.22 | $20.15 |
| Northern Annual | $26,851 | $45,046 | $54,144 |
| Hourly | $12.91 | $21.66 | $26.03 |
| Southwestern Annual | $22,778 | $31,483 | $35,835 |
| Hourly | $10.95 | $15.14 | $17.23 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website.
Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.
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New Mexico
2008 to 2018
In 2008 there were about 750 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will increase by about 8 percent and an estmated 810 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation has little or no change. Job opportunities indicate few and keen competition, as there should be about 6 openings each year for workers in this occupation.
In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas
| Area | Estimated Employment 2008 | Projected Employment 2018 | Annual Percent Change | Total Annual Average Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 750 | 810 | 0.81% | 6 |
| + Metro Areas | ||||
| Albuquerque | 250 | 260 | 0.40% | 1 |
| Farmington | 70 | 90 | 1.63% | 1 |
| Las Cruces | 60 | 70 | 1.63% | 1 |
| Santa Fe | 90 | 100 | 1.60% | 2 |
| + Regions | ||||
| Central | 250 | 260 | 0.40% | 1 |
| Eastern | 180 | 210 | 1.19% | 2 |
| Northern | 230 | 250 | 0.97% | 2 |
| Southwestern | 70 | 80 | 0.91% | 1 |
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
Surveying Technicians usually need High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate).
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) | 39% |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 21% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades) | 21% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 7% |
| Some College Courses | 7% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 4% |
Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.
Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| + Central New Mexico Community College | ||
|---|---|---|
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Cartography | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Cartography | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Mon | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/montoya/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Cartography | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Cartography | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Sou | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/svc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Cartography | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Cartography | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wes | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/westside/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Cartography | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Cartography | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wo | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/wtc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Cartography | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Cartography | |
| + New Mexico State University main campus(NMSU) | ||
| Website:http://www.nmsu.edu | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Surveying Technology/Surveying | |
| + San Juan College | ||
| Website:http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Surveying Technology/Surveying | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Surveying Technology/Surveying | |
| + San Juan College - East | ||
| Website:http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/pages/1742.asp | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Surveying Technology/Surveying | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Surveying Technology/Surveying | |
| + San Juan College - West | ||
| Website:http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/pages/1740.asp | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Surveying Technology/Surveying | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Surveying Technology/Surveying | |
| + Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institut | ||
| Website:http://www.sipi.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Cartography | |
| Associate's Degree | Surveying Technology/Surveying | |
This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.
No New Mexico occupational license is required.
| Applied Mathematics | Applied Technology | Listening | Locating Information | Obersvation | Reading for Information | Teamwork | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.
| Industry | Percent of Employed |
|---|---|
| Administrative and Support Services | * |
| Construction of Buildings | * |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | 5.8% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 53.8% |
| Real Estate | * |
| Self-Employed Workers, Primary Job | 3.7% |
| Support Activities for Mining | * |
| Utilities | 2.7% |
* Data is confidential.
Source: NMDWS, Economic Research and Analysis Bureau
- Aerial Photograph Interpreter
- Aerotriangulation Specialist
- Agricultural Global Positioning System Mapper (Agricultural GPS Mapper)
- Assistant Surveyor
- C Level Crew Chief
- CAD Technician (Computer Assisted Design Technician)
- Cartographer
- Cartographic Aide
- Cartographic Drafter
- Cartography/Mapping Technician
- Chain Carrier
- Chain Person
- Chainman
- Compass Operator
- Computer Aided Design Technician (CAD Technician)
- Drafting Technician
- Draftsman
- Editor, Map
- Engineering Assistant
- Engineering Physical Science Technician
- Engineering Technician
- Field Crew Chief
- Field Supervisor
- Forest Technician
- GIS Analyst (Geographic Information Systems Analyst)
- Geodetic Computator
- Geographical Information System Analyst (GIS Analyst)
- Geographical Information System Specialist (GIS Specialist)
- Geographical Information System Technician (GIS Technician)
- Geophysical Party Chief
- Global Position System Technician (GPS Technician)
- Group Leader, River and Harbor Soundings
- Helper, Surveyor
- Helper, Surveyor Chain
- Helper, Surveyor Rod
- Hydrographic Surveyor
- Imagery Analyst
- Imaging Technician
- Inker, Technical Illustrations, Maps
- Instrument Man (I-Man)
- Instrument Operator
- Instrument Person
- Land Survey Technician
- Land Surveyor
- Levelman
- Map Compiler
- Map Drafter
- Mapping Technician
- Mosaicist
- Party Chief
- Photogrammetric Compilation Specialist
- Photogrammetric Stereo Compiler
- Photogrammetric Technician
- Photogrammetrist
- Plane Tableman
- Rodman
- Rodman, Surveying Crew
- Stake Driver
- Stake Runner, Surveying Crew
- Stake Setter
- Staker
- Stereo Compiler
- Stereo Map Plotter Operator
- Stereo Plotter Operator
- Stereoplotter Operator
- Supervisor, Mapping
- Survey Crew Chief
- Survey Crew Member
- Survey Crew, Land Surveying
- Survey Manager
- Survey Party Chief
- Survey Rodman
- Survey Technician
- Survey Worker, Chain, Rod, or Ax
- Survey Worker, Land Surveying
- Surveyor
- Surveyor Assistant, Instruments
- Surveyor, Marine
- Technician, Cartographic
- Technician, Field Map
- Technician, Surveying
- Topographic Computator
- Topographical Drafter
- Transit Man
- Transit Man, Surveying
- Transit Worker
- Transit Worker, Surveying