Land Surveyor Jobs in California
Land Surveyor jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in infrastructure development, residential and commercial construction, transportation, and public works across a market that stretches from entry-level field technicians to licensed project managers. The heaviest hiring activity sits in the Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego metros, where firms like AECOM, Michael Baker International, and Psomas maintain long-running California operations. The most in-demand specialties include boundary and topographic surveying, construction staking, and ALTA land title surveys tied to California's ongoing development pipeline. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, environmental, planning, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.
At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
BKF Engineers is seeking an experienced City Surveyor to support our Government Solutions team. This role leads survey project delivery for public agencies, provides technical oversight, mentors staff, ensures quality standards, and supports client coordination. The position also contributes to business development through proposal support and identification of new project opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Reviewing subdivision maps, lot line adjustments, lot mergers, and other private development applications.
- Preparing legal exhibits including plats, legal descriptions, and survey reports.
- Post-processing field data collected via total station, GPS, levels, 3D laser scanners, and unmanned aerial systems.
- Creating mapping deliverables including boundary surveys, ALTA surveys, topographic surveys.
- Preparing construction staking calculations by reading plans and interpreting CAD files.
- Travel to various job sites and offices may be required.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Geomatics, Surveying, Civil Engineering, or a related field preferred. In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 10 years of office surveying experience with progressively increasing responsibility.
- Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) is required.
- Deep understanding and experience of surveying principles, techniques, and equipment.
- Proficient in CAD software, especially Autodesk Civil 3D.
- Construction staking experience, including reading plans, construction calculations, and preparing cut sheets.
- Experience processing laser scanning data, including registration and 3D modeling is nice to have.
- Lead and initiate special projects as needed.
- May require flexible hours.
- Travel between BKF offices and other off-site locations may be required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.
WORK CONDITIONS
Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.
BENEFITS
- The typical base salary range for this position is $139,000.00 - $170,799.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
- Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k.
- Generous paid time off packages.
- 9 Paid Holidays.
- Flexible schedules.
- Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
- BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.
BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.
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See All 10 Land Surveyor Jobs in California
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Find Land Surveyor JobsLand Surveyor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Land Surveyor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- BKF Engineers5

- Willdan3

- Cannon1

- UNICO ENGINEERING1

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services10
- Energy2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in land surveyor jobs across California.
- Active Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- Experience with CAD software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D and data collection using GPS and total station equipment
- Ability to read and interpret legal descriptions, plats, deeds, and construction drawings
- Knowledge of California boundary law, title standards, and ALTA survey requirements
- Experience with drone or LiDAR technology for aerial and terrestrial data capture
- Strong field communication skills and ability to coordinate with project engineers and clients
Land Surveyor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a land surveyor in California?
To become a licensed land surveyor in California you must earn a degree in surveying, geomatics, or a closely related field and then pass both the Fundamentals of Surveying exam and the Professional Land Surveyor exam administered through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Candidates also complete supervised field experience before applying for the PLS license, which is required to legally sign and seal survey documents in California.
How much do land surveyors make in California?
Land surveyors in California earn a median of about $105,330 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $59,310 for the lowest 10% to over $160,430 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire land surveyors in California?
Employers hiring land surveyors in California right now include BKF Engineers, Willdan, and Cannon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's sustained infrastructure investment and active residential development market keep large engineering and surveying firms in a near-continuous hiring cycle across the state.
Which California cities have the most land surveyor jobs?
Elk Grove, Concord, and Irvine have the most land surveyor openings in California. Sacramento draws significant public-sector and infrastructure work tied to state government projects, while Los Angeles and San Diego generate consistent private-sector demand through large-scale construction, transportation, and coastal development projects anchored by major engineering firms operating regional offices in both metros.
Are there remote land surveyor jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Land surveying is inherently a field-based profession, and most roles require physical presence on site for data collection, boundary verification, and construction staking. About 50% of land surveyor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to involve office-side work such as CAD drafting, deed research, or project coordination rather than active fieldwork.
How can I get hired as a land surveyor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a survey technician or field crew member role, which large California engineering firms like AECOM, WSP, and regional public works departments regularly post without requiring a PLS license. Community colleges throughout California offer surveying certificates that strengthen an application, and pursuing your Surveyor-in-Training registration with the California Board signals to employers that you are progressing toward licensure. Lateral entry from construction layout or civil engineering technician roles is also common at mid-size firms across the state.
Where can I find and apply to land surveyor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to land surveyor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 10 Land Surveyor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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