Average Surveyors Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Surveyors in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area earn a substantial average annual salary of $128,350. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $75,200, reflecting the region's high demand for specialized surveying expertise and the associated cost of operations. The dynamic economic landscape and complex infrastructure projects within this metropolitan area necessitate highly skilled professionals, driving up compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $128,350 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $175,590.
- Outlook: The local workforce for Surveyors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, comprises approximately 520 professionals. While the Location Quotient of 0.63 suggests a slightly lower concentration compared to the national average, the presence of a dedicated workforce indicates a stable, albeit not hyper-concentrated, demand for these services. The number of jobs per 1,000 workers (0.218) further supports the notion of a consistent, ongoing need for surveying professionals within this key economic hub.
Salary Overview
The average Surveyors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earns+70.7%above the national average.
$61.7
$2,468
$10,696
Surveyors Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Surveyors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, have experienced steady growth over the past four years. This trend is generally driven by inflation, increasing demand for land development and infrastructure projects, and the continuous need for accurate geospatial data in a rapidly evolving urban environment. Such consistent appreciation in earning potential is typical for skilled professions in high-cost, high-demand metropolitan areas.
Surveyors Salary Distribution in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The salary trajectory for Surveyors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive project management experience and specialized certifications can command salaries well above the average. The widening percentile gaps between junior and senior roles clearly signify robust career progression opportunities and the increasing value placed on expertise and leadership within the surveying field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $74,060 | $35.6 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $96,263 | $46.3 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $122,690 | $59 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $160,438 | $77.1 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $175,590 | $84.4 |
Detailed Surveyors Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$128,350
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$128,350
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $128,350 for Surveyors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the gross income is considerably higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively neutralized by the local cost of living. Therefore, while the absolute salary is impressive, the real economic advantage is tempered by the expenses associated with living in this high-cost metropolitan area.
Job Market Context
520
Total Jobs
0.218
Per 1K Jobs
0.63
Location Quotient
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has 0.63x the national average concentration of Surveyors jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
With a Location Quotient of 0.63, the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, market for Surveyors is less concentrated than the national average. This indicates that while there is a demand for surveyors, the profession is not as densely populated relative to other occupations in the region compared to the rest of the country. This suggests a potentially competitive market for employers seeking specialized talent, but also opportunities for individual surveyors to find roles without facing extreme saturation.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Surveyors
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA Surveyors Salary | $90,420↓ 30% | 27 mi |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Surveyors Salary | $113,940↓ 11% | 42 mi |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Surveyors Salary | $97,780↓ 24% | 50 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Surveyors make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median annual salary for a Surveyors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $128,350. This typically ranges from $74,060 for entry-level positions to $175,590 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 70.7% higher than the national median of $75,200.
Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a lucrative place for Surveyors?
Yes, but with caveats.The average salary of $128,350 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong earning potential. However, this is balanced by a Cost of Living Index that is also at the national average, meaning the higher salary does not translate to significantly increased purchasing power.
Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a good place to live for Surveyors?
The Cost of Living Index in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Vallejo, CA ($90,420) and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
How does the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Surveyor salary compare to the national average?
Surveyors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, earn an average of $128,350 annually, which is substantially higher than the national average of $75,200, representing a significant premium.
What is the concentration of Surveyors in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area?
The Location Quotient for Surveyors in this region is 0.63, indicating that the profession is less concentrated here compared to the national average.
Does the high salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offset the cost of living?
The average salary is high, but the Cost of Living Index is also at the national average (100). This means that while you earn more in absolute terms, your purchasing power is comparable to the national average, not significantly enhanced.
How many Surveyors are there in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area?
The total local workforce for Surveyors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, is approximately 520 individuals.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 520 employees in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area with a job density of 0.218 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Surveyors • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA