Surveyor salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Surveyors in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $72,100 a year ($34.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,370 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $75,440. Pay here is 1% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $71,070. There are 0.25 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $75,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| 25th percentile | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| Median | $72,100 | $34.66 |
| 75th percentile | $92,250 | $44.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,370 | $54.02 |
| Average (mean) | $75,490 | $36.29 |
Half of surveyors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,008.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,004.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,773.08 |
| Weekly | $1,386.54 |
| Hourly | $34.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $72,100 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surveyor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $93,660 | 350 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $83,420 | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $76,930 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,710 | 450 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $74,920 | 850 |
| Richmond, VA | $74,150 | 160 |
| Asheville, NC | $74,030 | 100 |
| Wilmington, NC | $72,160 | 120 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $71,320 | 60 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $65,820 | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,630 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for surveyors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,330 |
| Alaska | $99,550 |
| Oregon | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 |
| Washington | $85,610 |
| Montana | $84,610 |
| Minnesota | $83,620 |
| Maine | $83,200 |
| Delaware | $82,890 |
| Nevada | $82,460 |
See Surveyor pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $101,410 | $48.75 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $79,550 | $38.24 |
| Landscape Architect | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | $45.52 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,210 | $49.62 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| Engineers, All Other | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,060 | $49.07 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $139,010 | $66.83 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,030 | $29.82 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-1022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surveyor make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for surveyors in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $72,100 a year, or $34.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of surveyors in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $112,370 a year. The top 25% earn $92,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,640 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $57,850 or less.
How many surveyors work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 190 surveyors are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.