Surveying technician

Surveying technicians carry out tasks to support chartered surveyors, architects and engineers.

• Starter salary£24,000 a year
• Experienced£32,000 a year
• Typical hours37 to 45 a week

What you'll do

As a surveying technician, you could:

• estimate and draw up project costs
• measure and record data on engineering and construction projects
• create plans using computer-aided design (CAD) software
• assist with environmental impact assessments
• survey buildings or map land use, with laser scanning and GPS equipment
• value land, property and machinery
• organise the sale of assets by auction
• visit sites and help to produce survey reports

Working environment

You could work in an office, visit sites or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• maths knowledge
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• analytical thinking skills
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• knowledge of building and construction
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to become a surveying technician

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• construction
• building surveying
• civil engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can take a college course to learn some of the skills needed for the job. This may help when you apply for a trainee position.

Relevant courses include:

• construction and the built environment
• engineering surveying
• civil engineering for technicians
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Surveying Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with a surveying company, construction firm or local authority.

This takes around 2 years to complete and combines on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Find out more about surveying apprenticeships from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors .

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Career path and progression

With experience and further training you could become a professional chartered surveyor.

You might also turn self-employed, as a freelance surveying technician, and work on different contracts.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for professional development opportunities.

Guides for this industry

• Engineering: pay, interviews and getting started →

Related roles

• Job roleBuilding surveyor
• Job roleBuilding technician
• Job roleGeneral practice surveyor
• Job roleCivil engineering technician
• Job roleLand and property valuer and auctioneer

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0