2154-NOC

Land surveyors

(NOC 21203)
Annual Earnings
$77,167
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
490

Career Overview

Land surveyors plan, direct and carry out legal surveys to establish the location of real property boundaries, contours and other natural or human-made features. They also prepare and maintain cross-sectional drawings, official plans, records and documents pertaining to legal surveys.

Land surveyors may be self-employed or work for:

  • Federal, provincial and municipal governments
  • Private sector land surveying companies
  • Real estate development firms
  • Natural resource companies
  • Engineering firms
  • Construction companies

 

Duties

Land surveyors perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Develop survey plans, methods and procedures for conducting legal surveys
  • Plan, direct and oversee surveys to establish and mark legal boundaries of properties, parcels of lands, provincial and Canada Lands, aboriginal land claims, well-sites, mining claims, utility rights-of-way, roadways and highways
  • Survey and lay out subdivisions for rural and urban development
  • Determine exact locations using electronic distance measuring equipment and global positioning systems (GPS)
  • Analyze, manage and display data using geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided design and drafting (CAD)
  • Record all measurements and other information obtained during survey activities
  • Prepare or oversee the preparation and compilation of all data, plans, charts, records and documents related to surveys of real property boundaries
  • Approve and be responsible for surveys made to establish real property boundaries
  • Advise, provide consultation and testify as an expert witness on matters related to legal surveys

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$77,167

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$55.00/hr
Median$37.00/hr
Low$25.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

1,050

% Employed Full Time

70%
Source: 2021 Census

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office, or an outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to various weather conditions.

Career Pathways

Federal statutes require a separate license from the Association of Canada Land Surveyors to survey areas such as national parks, aboriginal lands, offshore areas and northern territories.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic
Conventional
Conventional
Investigative
Investigative

Job Titles

Cadastral surveyor
Canada lands surveyor
City surveyor
Land surveyor
Property surveyor

Education, Training and Skills

  • A bachelor's degree in geomatics engineering or survey engineering
    or
    A college diploma in survey science or geomatics technology with additional academic credits and successful completion of equivalent examinations set by a regional board of examiners for land surveyors is required
  • A one- to three-year articling period is required
  • Successful completion of professional land surveyor examinations is required
  • A federal or provincial land surveyor's licence is required

Land surveyors who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the Association of BC Land Surveyors for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Surveying and Mapping
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

76%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

73%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

72%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

70%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

65%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

65%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

62%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

60%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

57%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

56%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

1,050
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 35 3.3%
Kootenay 30 2.9%
Mainland/Southwest 510 48.6%
North Coast and Nechako 25 2.4%
Northeast 55 5.2%
Thompson-Okanagan 175 16.7%
Vancouver Island/Coast 215 20.5%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

490
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 10 0.5%
Kootenay 20 2.5%
Mainland/Southwest 200 1.4%
North Coast and Nechako 20 1.2%
Northeast 10 -0.9%
Thompson-Okanagan 110 2.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 110 1.9%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services410
Construction40
Public Administration30
Repair, Personal And Non-Profit Services0
Utilities0
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources