Surveyor Jobs in Illinois
Surveyor jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, concentrated in infrastructure, land development, construction, and public works projects, with openings at every level from field technician to licensed professional surveyor. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford are the state's primary hiring hubs, where firms like AECOM, Burns and McDonnell, and Hanson Professional Services maintain active Illinois operations. Land surveying, construction surveying, and GIS-integrated survey work are the most consistently sought specialties across the state. 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 43 Surveyor Jobs in Illinois
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Find Surveyor JobsSurveyor Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
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 surveyor jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license or Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT) registration required
- Proficiency with total station, GPS/GNSS equipment, and survey-grade data collectors
- Experience reading and interpreting construction drawings, plats, and legal land descriptions
- Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center, or comparable survey software
- Valid driver's license with reliable transportation for field site access across Illinois
- Strong written communication skills for preparing survey reports, plats, and client deliverables
Surveyor Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a surveyor in Illinois?
Becoming a licensed surveyor in Illinois requires earning a degree in surveying or a closely related field, gaining supervised field experience, and passing the Fundamentals of Surveying and Principles and Practice of Surveying exams administered through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Licensure is issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the Professional Land Surveyor designation. Candidates typically begin as a Surveyor-in-Training while accumulating the required experience hours.
How much do surveyors make in Illinois?
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 surveyors in Illinois?
Employers hiring surveyors in Illinois right now include Turner & Townsend Pty Limited, Prairie Engineers, P.C., and HR Green, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's ongoing investment in transportation infrastructure, urban redevelopment, and utility corridor projects keeps a broad mix of engineering firms, municipal agencies, and construction companies actively recruiting survey professionals.
Which Illinois cities have the most surveyor jobs?
Chicago, Springfield, and Aurora are the Illinois cities with the most surveyor openings. Chicago drives the largest share of postings because of its scale as a construction and infrastructure market, while Peoria and Rockford reflect strong demand from regional engineering firms, county transportation departments, and industrial development projects that operate across central and northern Illinois.
Are there remote surveyor jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 55% of surveyor openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which reflects how field-dependent the role fundamentally is. The portions of surveyor work most suited to remote arrangements include GIS data processing, CAD drafting, deed and plat research, and report writing, while boundary measurement, construction stakeout, and topographic work require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a surveyor in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a survey technician or field crew position, which large Illinois engineering firms and county highway departments regularly fill with candidates who have completed an associate or bachelor's degree in surveying technology. Firms like Hanson Professional Services and AECOM's Illinois offices hire entry-level field staff who work toward their LSIT registration on the job. Candidates who already hold their Fundamentals of Surveying exam result or a GIS certificate have a measurable edge in the application process.
Where can I find and apply to surveyor jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to surveyor jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 43 Surveyor Jobs in Illinois
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