Surveying & Mapping Technology
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Potential Positions
Most program graduates work as surveying and mapping technicians and are employed in direct field service. Opportunities exist in construction companies, private surveying and engineering firms, mining, oil, and gas extraction companies, public utilities, and city, county, state, and federal government agencies (i.e. U.S. Forestry Department, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, and Bureau of Land Management).
Employment Outlook
Employment of surveying and mapping technicians is expected to increase (23%) faster than average nationally. Job openings will continue to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force altogether. Within 9 months after graduation, the estimated employment rate for the Surveying & Mapping Technology program is 93%. The graduate starting median wage is $16.09 with a wage potential of $22.94.
*Graduate wages and placement obtained from SBCTC/WA unemployment files from 2004-05. Wage potential is based out of Whatcom County and obtained from LMEA. For further information, contact the Counseling & Career Center at 360-752-8450.
Typical Tasks
Specific tasks typically required of a surveying and mapping technician include:
Assisting land surveyors by operating survey instruments and collecting data;
Managing survey parties that measure distances, directions, and angles between points and elevations of points, lines, and contours on the earth’s surface used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, or other purposes;
Planning fieldwork, selecting known survey reference points, and determining the precise location of important features in the survey area;
Positioning and holding the vertical rods or targets that the instrument operator sights on to measure angles, distances, or elevations;
Drawing GPS maps of geographical areas from source data such as surveying notes, aerial photography, or other maps to show natural and constructed features; and
Using the Global Positioning System (GPS), a satellite system that precisely locates points on the earth using radio signals transmitted by satellites.
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This program typically starts in Fall Quarter
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