Surveying Degree Programs in Boston, MA (2026)
Quick answer: The Boston metro employs about 1,070 surveyors (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state surveying licensing board.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. 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.
See the Massachusetts licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state surveying licensing board.
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 within 250 miles of this 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 Boston
Surveyors in the Boston area earn a median $94,970 per year, above the national median of $75,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Surveying Pay in Boston, MA
| Metric | Boston metro | Massachusetts | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $94,970 | $94,590 | $75,440 |
| 10th percentile | $57,880 | $57,880 | $46,880 |
| 25th percentile | $76,130 | $76,770 | $58,170 |
| 75th percentile | $104,450 | $104,450 | $98,130 |
| 90th percentile | $131,220 | $129,410 | $125,590 |
| Employment | 1,070 | 1,290 | 50,830 |
| Location quotient | 1.21 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Boston median of $94,970 is above the national median of $75,440, and above the Massachusetts statewide median of $94,590 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 1.21 means surveyors are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
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 Boston?
The median annual wage for surveyors in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $94,970, above the national median of $75,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many surveyors work in the Boston area?
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area employs about 1,070 surveyors (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do surveyors in Boston need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. 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. Confirm current requirements with your state surveying licensing board.
Can I study surveying online from Boston?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state surveying licensing board.
Is Boston a better market than the rest of Massachusetts?
The Boston metro median is $94,970 against a statewide median of $94,590 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Surveying degree programs in Massachusetts - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Surveying programs and how to choose one
- Land Surveyor career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
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/.