Surveyor Jobs in California

Surveyor jobs in California are among the most active in the country, driven by large-scale infrastructure projects, land development, and construction activity with openings at every level from field technician through licensed professional surveyor. The busiest hiring centers are Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego, where firms like AECOM, WSP, and Caltrans anchor consistent demand. The most in-demand specialties are land surveying, construction staking, and geomatics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles54+
Top employerBKF Engineers
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring25
Work type74% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 54+ Surveyor jobs

Wood Rodgers, Inc.
Surveyor
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Wood Rodgers, Inc.
Added 2mo ago
Surveyor
Wood Rodgers, Inc.
Pleasanton, California
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
$39 - $49/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
51-200

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American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
Principal Surveyor
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American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
Added 4d ago
Principal Surveyor
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
San Francisco, California
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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BKF Engineers
Senior Project Surveyor
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BKF Engineers
Added 1w ago
Senior Project Surveyor
BKF Engineers
Pleasanton, California
Project & Program Management
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Project Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
$108k - $149k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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Verdantas
Senior Surveyor
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Verdantas
Added 1w ago
Senior Surveyor
Verdantas
Sacramento County, California
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Construction Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
$130k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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BKF Engineers
Professional Land Surveyor / City Surveyor
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BKF Engineers
Added 1w ago
Professional Land Surveyor / City Surveyor
BKF Engineers
Sacramento, California
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Construction Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
$139k - $171k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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See All 54 Surveyor Jobs in California

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Surveyor Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
7 jobs
Los Angeles
5 jobs
San Diego
5 jobs
San Jose
5 jobs
Temecula
4 jobs
Elk Grove
3 jobs
Hillsborough
2 jobs
Irvine
2 jobs
Pleasanton
2 jobs

Surveyor Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • BKF Engineers
    BKF Engineers17
  • Turner & Townsend Pty Limited
    Turner & Townsend Pty Limited11
  • Willdan
    Willdan7
  • Michael Baker International
    Michael Baker International5
  • Turner & Townsend
    Turner & Townsend3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services42
  • Energy6
  • Construction & Real Estate3
  • Government & Public Sector2
  • Healthcare & Medical Services1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in surveyor jobs across California.

  • Active California Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license or eligibility for licensure
  • Proficiency with total station equipment, GPS, and data collection software
  • Experience reading and interpreting construction plans, plats, and legal descriptions
  • Familiarity with CAD software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D or Microstation
  • Strong working knowledge of California survey laws and boundary principles
  • Valid driver's license and ability to work in varied outdoor field conditions

Surveyor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a surveyor in California?

To become a licensed surveyor in California, you must earn licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. The path requires a qualifying degree in surveying, geomatics, or a related field, followed by supervised experience under a licensed PLS and passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying exams. California also offers a Land Surveyor-in-Training designation for candidates building toward full licensure.

How much do surveyors make in California?

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 surveyors in California?

Employers hiring surveyors in California right now include BKF Engineers, Turner & Townsend Pty Limited, and Willdan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's volume of public infrastructure, transportation, and land development projects means both large engineering firms and regional survey companies maintain steady hiring throughout the year.

Which California cities have the most surveyor jobs?

The California cities with the most surveyor openings are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Los Angeles and San Diego draw heavy demand from construction, transportation, and coastal development projects, while Sacramento sees consistent volume from state government contracts and Central Valley land development tied to agriculture and water infrastructure.

Are there remote surveyor jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Surveying is fundamentally field-based work, and most roles require on-site presence for data collection, boundary work, or construction staking. About 26% of surveyor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions are typically in geospatial analysis, data processing, or project management rather than hands-on field surveying.

How can I get hired as a surveyor in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for survey technician or field crew positions with large California engineering firms such as AECOM, Kimley-Horn, or regional land development companies that regularly bring on entry-level staff. Community college programs in geomatics or surveying technology, particularly at schools like Fresno City College or Mt. San Antonio College, provide practical credentials that strengthen applications. Pursuing the Land Surveyor-in-Training registration early signals commitment and gives you a formal edge over uncredentialed candidates.

Where can I find and apply to surveyor jobs in California?

You can find and apply to surveyor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 54 Surveyor Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Surveyor Jobs