Survey and Layout Technician Jobs
Run layout on solar farms and data center sites, a precise role that grows into party chief and field engineering work.
Where would you land?
Pick your trade, state, experience and credentials. See what workers like you make, and what your next credential is worth.
Here's where the trade pays. Our job is getting you to the top of it.
Survey and Layout Technician · All states
Add your state, years and credentials, then tap Show my estimate for your own number.
We partner with clients who value skilled, certified workers and pay for experience. Government data shows the range. We match you to the jobs that reward what you bring, and you see every rate before you accept.
Government data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025, all employers. Not a job offer or a SiteWorker rate.
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What survey and layout technicians earn, state by state
Public government data shows how far skills and certifications can take you in this trade. We work with clients who pay for skill and experience.
Across the U.S.
Typical survey and layout technician pay ranges from $21/hr (South Carolina) to $38/hr (California). Pick your state to see its full range.
BLS title: Surveying and Mapping Technicians.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates (released April 2026). Hourly wages across all employers in each state, rounded to the nearest dollar. These are government figures, not SiteWorker pay or bill rates.
How to move up
- 1Start as a rod person or layout helper
- 2Run GPS and total station on your own
- 3Become party chief or move into field engineering
SiteWorker looks at the skills and certifications that would move you up when we vet you, and points you to on-the-job training and certifications clients ask for. Clients filter for top-rated workers. A strong rating keeps you in front of them.
How upskilling worksPrevailing wage: On Davis-Bacon and prevailing-wage jobs, the minimum rate for your classification is set by the wage determination for that county and type of project, and it can be higher than these state figures. SiteWorker handles the certified payroll. How prevailing wage works.
What you'll do
- Pile and row layout. Staking piles and tracker rows from design files.
- Foundation layout. Gridlines, anchor bolts and pads.
- GPS and total station. RTK GPS and robotic total station work.
- As-builts. Recording as-built positions and elevations.
- Grade checks. Checking grade for civil crews.
- Data handling. Clean files shared with field and office.
Credentials that raise your pay
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
- NSPS Certified Survey Technician (CST)
- Equipment training (RTK GPS, robotic total station)
- First Aid / CPR
Questions, Answered
How much do survey and layout technicians make?
The chart on this page shows public government pay data for the trade in every state. SiteWorker works with clients who pay for skill and experience. Your rate depends on your credentials, experience and the job, and every job shows its rate before you accept.
How do I move up?
Start as a rod person or layout helper. Run GPS and total station on your own. Become party chief or move into field engineering.
Where are the jobs?
SiteWorker staffs projects nationwide. Apply once and a recruiter matches you to open jobs. Some jobs include travel and per diem.
Do some jobs include per diem or travel?
Some jobs include per diem and travel. It's listed on each job posting.
Hiring survey and layout technicians? Hire survey and layout technicians →
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