Online Surveying Degree in Illinois: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Illinois employs about 1,710 surveyors (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state surveying licensing board. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Licensing and Credentials in Illinois
Surveying is licensed in every state. The national sequence is a board-approved surveying degree, documented experience under a licensed surveyor, the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam and then Principles and Practice of Surveying. Most states add a state-specific examination covering that state’s boundary law and land records, which is why surveying licenses transfer between states less readily than most professional credentials.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state surveying licensing board that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Surveyors Earn in Illinois
Surveyors in Illinois earn a median $75,980 per year, above the national median of $75,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Surveying Pay and Employment in Illinois at a Glance
| Metric | Illinois | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $75,980 | $75,440 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $46,540 | $46,880 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $59,940 | $58,170 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $100,380 | $98,130 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $126,300 | $125,590 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 1,710 | 50,830 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 0.86 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 4.4% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Illinois Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Illinois median of $75,980 sits above the national median of $75,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 0.86 puts Illinois slightly below the national average, so the occupation is a little less common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Illinois
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $80,060 | 1,140 |
| Springfield | $78,460 | 40 |
| Peoria | $71,350 | 40 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro estimates cover the wider metropolitan statistical area, not the city limits.
Surveyors Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), surveyors wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 1,140 | $80,060 | $83,940 | $45,910 | $126,620 |
| St. Louis | 460 | $65,560 | $73,390 | $47,700 | $113,100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 50 | $99,030 | $101,030 | $67,190 | $142,490 |
| Peoria | 40 | $71,350 | $77,750 | $43,060 | $123,050 |
| Springfield | 40 | $78,460 | $87,290 | $50,410 | $127,810 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Illinois Metro Areas With Published Data
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surveyors make in Illinois?
The median annual wage for surveyors in Illinois is $75,980, above the national median of $75,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $59,940 at the 25th percentile to $100,380 at the 75th.
How many surveyors work in Illinois?
Illinois holds about 1,710 surveyor jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 50,830, and BLS projects about 3,900 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a surveyor in Illinois?
Surveying is licensed in every state. The national sequence is a board-approved surveying degree, documented experience under a licensed surveyor, the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam and then Principles and Practice of Surveying. Most states add a state-specific examination covering that state's boundary law and land records, which is why surveying licenses transfer between states less readily than most professional credentials. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state surveying licensing board before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a surveying degree online while working in Illinois?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state surveying licensing board.
What is the highest-paying area of Illinois for surveyors?
Among Illinois metro areas with published data, Chicago reports the highest median at $80,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Illinois a good state for surveyors?
On pay, the state median of $75,980 sits above the national $75,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.86 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Surveying programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Land Surveyor career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Surveyors (SOC 17-1022), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.