Surveyor salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Surveyors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $74,920 a year ($36.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,800 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $75,440. Pay here is 5% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $71,070. There are 0.27 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,420 | $26.65 |
| 25th percentile | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Median | $74,920 | $36.02 |
| 75th percentile | $94,330 | $45.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,800 | $53.75 |
| Average (mean) | $81,710 | $39.29 |
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 | $6,243.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,121.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,881.54 |
| Weekly | $1,440.77 |
| Hourly | $36.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,920 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,040 | 610 |
| Richmond, VA | $74,150 | 160 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $72,100 | 190 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $65,820 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $64,010 | 70 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $63,130 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,630 | 50 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $60,550 | 30 |
| Charleston, WV | $60,160 | 80 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $59,720 | 40 |
| Beckley, WV | $58,240 | 40 |
| Morgantown, WV | $50,220 | 40 |
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,080 | $49.08 |
| Landscape Architect | $89,350 | $42.96 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $86,660 | $41.66 |
| Engineers, All Other | $151,340 | $72.76 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,780 | $48.93 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $126,990 | $61.05 |
| Electrical Engineer | $126,420 | $60.78 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $140,000 | $67.31 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $166,420 | $80.01 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,600 | $56.54 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $159,480 | $76.67 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,020 | $36.55 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for surveyors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $74,920 a year, or $36.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of surveyors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $111,800 a year. The top 25% earn $94,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,420 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $61,500 or less.
How many surveyors work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 850 surveyors are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.