Surveyors held about 44,300 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most surveyors were as follows:
Architectural, engineering, and related services
70%
Government
11
Construction
8
Most surveyors work for private surveying or engineering firms. Some also work in construction and for state and local governments.
Depending on the specific job duties, surveying involves both fieldwork and office work. Fieldwork involves working outdoors in all types of weather, walking long distances, and standing for extended periods while measurements are taken. Surveyors sometimes climb hills with heavy packs of surveying instruments. When working near hazards such as traffic, surveyors generally wear brightly colored or reflective vests so they may be seen more easily.
Traveling is often part of the job, and surveyors may commute long distances or stay at a project location for an extended period of time. Those who work on resource extraction projects may work in remote areas and spend long periods away from home.
Work Schedules
Surveyors usually work full time. When construction activity is high, they may work more hours than usual.