Land Surveyor Jobs in Illinois
Land Surveyor jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with demand concentrated in infrastructure development, transportation, and urban planning across entry-level field positions through senior project management roles. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford are the largest hiring metros, home to established firms like AECOM, WSP, and Burns & McDonnell that maintain long-term surveying operations throughout the state. The most in-demand specialties in Illinois are construction staking, boundary surveying, and GIS-integrated survey work tied to the state's ongoing highway and transit projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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POSITION OBJECTIVE:
The Professional Land Surveyor will plan and oversee topographical and land surveys for many governmental agencies as well as private clients. This position will also plan, organize, and direct the work of surveying, such as design surveys, stakeouts, boundary surveys, Alta surveys, scanning, etc. In addition, the Professional Land Surveyor will prepare Plats of Highways, Plats of Easements, Plats of Survey, ALTAs, and Base drawings using data collected in various formats like MicroStation, Openroads, and Civil 3D.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Independently applies extensive and diverse knowledge of principles and practices in completing assignments
- Assumes supervisory responsibility and perform as staff advisor and consultant for surveying functions and personnel management
- Coordinates findings with work of engineering, right-of-way, and/or utility coordination personnel, clients, and others concerned with a project
- Determines the scope of work, job objectives, and man-hour budgets on projects assigned to the surveying group in concurrence with other project managers and supervisors
- Maintains liaison with individuals and units within or outside the organization with responsibility for acting independently on technical matters
- Research previous survey evidence, maps, deeds, physical evidence, and other records to obtain data needed for surveys
- Makes decisions independently on surveying problems and methods and represents the organization in conferences and meetings to resolve important questions and to plan and coordinate work
- Plans and develops surveying projects concerned with unique or controversial problems which have an important effect on the firm's major projects
- Analyzes survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation
- Schedules, assigns, and directs projects concerning surveying within the firm
- Prepares and supervises the preparation of all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys
- Develops criteria for survey methods and procedures
- Evaluates the progress of the staff and results obtained and recommends major changes to achieve overall results. Performs other duties as assigned
COMPETENCIES:
- Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry
- Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations
- Ability to communicate effectively on increasingly complex and technical issues
- Ability to inspire and motivate the team, fostering a positive environment and encouraging collaboration
- Ability to effectively delegate and allow team members to take ownership of tasks
- Intermediate understanding of team dynamics and individual team members' strengths and weaknesses
- Develop new techniques and/or improved processes, materials, or projects
- Ability to build constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect for our stakeholders
- Ability to communicate effectively with the client on increasingly complex and technical issues.
- Ability to analyze on-site issues and prose solutions
- Assist upper-level management and staff as a technical specialist or advisor
POSITION REQUIREMENT:
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Surveying, Civil Engineering, or related field preferred
Job Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Surveying Department Head
Licensure: PLS certification in the state of Illinois required
Experience: Typically 10-12 years of relevant supervisory experience.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Technical Skills: Intermediate knowledge of local government agency standards, specifically IDOT, Illinois Tollway, CCDOTH, and various other agencies’ CAD standards and deliverables.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Overseelower-level field surveyors and technicians
Physical Demands: Must be able to sit, walk, stand, reach with hands and arms, stoop or kneel, climb or balance, talk or hear, and use fingers and hands to feel objects, tools, or controls. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds on occasion. Required driving to job sites may result in a long commute
Working Environment: This job may require long periods of standing or walking in the field and include exposure to all types of outside weather conditions, varying noise levels, and hazards associated with land surveying. Wearing of required Personal Protective Equipment is required while performing work in the field. The employee may also be exposed to a general office environment, requiring long periods of sitting at a computer in ambient inside temperature, lighting and noise level. Due to the collaborative nature of this position, the work will need to be performed in the field or office, typically during normal business hours. Travel is required; must possess a valid license.
Continuing Education: Complete state-required competency. Attending job-related seminars and workshops.
Salary Range: $110,000 - $120,000 per year
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
See All 19 Land Surveyor Jobs in Illinois
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Find Land Surveyor JobsLand Surveyor Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Land Surveyor Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in land surveyor jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Professional Land Surveyor license issued by IDFPR required
- Proficiency with total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, and data collectors
- Experience reading and interpreting plats, deeds, and legal property descriptions
- Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar CAD and GIS software platforms
- Valid driver's license for travel to field sites across Illinois counties
- Understanding of Illinois Plat Act and applicable state surveying statutes
Land Surveyor Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a land surveyor in Illinois?
Becoming a licensed land surveyor in Illinois requires earning a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Candidates typically complete a bachelor's degree in surveying or a related field, pass the Fundamentals of Surveying and Principles and Practice of Surveying exams, and accumulate required experience hours under a licensed PLS. Illinois also recognizes licensure by endorsement for surveyors already licensed in other states.
How much do land surveyors make in Illinois?
Land surveyors in Illinois earn a median of about $75,980 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $46,540 for the lowest 10% to over $126,300 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire land surveyors in Illinois?
Employers hiring land surveyors in Illinois right now include HR Green, Gewalt Hamilton Associates, and Kleinfelder, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's major infrastructure and transportation programs keep large engineering firms with statewide operations in steady hiring mode throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most land surveyor jobs?
The cities with the most land surveyor openings in Illinois are McHenry, Springfield, and Vernon Hills. Chicago dominates because of its scale of construction, transit, and redevelopment activity, while Peoria and Rockford see consistent demand tied to regional infrastructure projects, industrial development, and the large engineering firms that operate district offices in those metros.
Are there remote land surveyor jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Land surveying is fundamentally a field-based profession, so most roles require on-site presence for data collection and boundary work. About 23% of land surveyor openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions are typically office-side functions like GIS analysis, drafting, or project coordination rather than active field surveying.
How can I get hired as a land surveyor in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a survey technician or field crew member role, which large Illinois engineering firms regularly hire for without requiring full licensure. Firms like AECOM and WSP run associate-level programs that pair new hires with licensed PLS mentors to accumulate the experience hours needed for eventual licensure. Completing the Fundamentals of Surveying exam early and demonstrating AutoCAD Civil 3D or GPS equipment familiarity gives candidates a clear edge at the application stage.
Where can I find and apply to land surveyor jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to land surveyor jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring right now. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 19 Land Surveyor Jobs in Illinois
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