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The average surveyor salary in Canada is $65,000-$95,000 per year. This guide breaks down land surveyor pay by province, specialization, and licensure level.
Surveyor Salary by Province
| Province | Technician | Licensed | Practice Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $70,000 | $105,000 | $160,000 |
| Ontario | $65,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| British Columbia | $68,000 | $102,000 | $155,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $68,000 | $98,000 | $145,000 |
| Manitoba | $62,000 | $92,000 | $140,000 |
| Quebec | $58,000 | $88,000 | $135,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $55,000 | $82,000 | $125,000 |
| New Brunswick | $52,000 | $80,000 | $120,000 |
| Newfoundland | $60,000 | $90,000 | $135,000 |
| PEI | $50,000 | $75,000 | $115,000 |
| Territories | $85,000+ | $120,000 | $180,000 |
Salary by Certification Level
| Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Survey Assistant/Rodman | $40,000-$55,000 |
| Survey Technician | $55,000-$72,000 |
| Party Chief | $68,000-$85,000 |
| Survey Technologist | $72,000-$90,000 |
| CLS (Canada Lands Surveyor) | $90,000-$130,000 |
| Provincial Land Surveyor | $85,000-$125,000 |
| Practice Owner | $120,000-$200,000+ |
Salary by Specialization
| Specialization | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Boundary/Cadastral | $75,000-$110,000 |
| Construction/Engineering | $70,000-$95,000 |
| Mining | $85,000-$120,000 |
| Hydrographic | $80,000-$110,000 |
| Geodetic | $80,000-$115,000 |
| GIS/Mapping | $65,000-$90,000 |
| Photogrammetry | $70,000-$95,000 |
| UAV/Drone | $65,000-$90,000 |
Salary by Industry
| Industry | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Survey Firm | $65,000-$100,000 |
| Engineering Firm | $70,000-$95,000 |
| Government | $70,000-$100,000 |
| Mining Company | $85,000-$130,000 |
| Oil & Gas | $90,000-$140,000 |
| Construction | $70,000-$95,000 |
| Utility Company | $72,000-$98,000 |
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $56,500 | $4,710 |
| $95,000 | $69,500 | $5,790 |
| $120,000 | $84,500 | $7,040 |
Path to CLS/PLS Licensure
| Stage | Duration | Typical Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma/Degree | 2-4 years | Student |
| Articling (work experience) | 2-3 years | $55,000-$75,000 |
| Commission Exams | During articles | — |
| Licensed Surveyor | Post-exam | $90,000-$130,000 |
Practice Ownership
| Metric | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Firm Revenue | $500,000-$2,000,000 |
| Owner Compensation | 20-30% of revenue |
| Owner Take-Home | $120,000-$400,000 |
| Firm Value | 40-70% annual revenue |
| Succession | Selling to staff common |
Benefits & Work Conditions
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Field Work | 60-80% of time outdoors |
| Travel | Often required |
| Remote Work | Common in resource sectors |
| Camp Work | Premium pay, rotations |
| Physical Demands | Moderate (hiking, carrying equipment) |
Is Surveying a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
- Severe shortage (retiring workforce)
- Outdoor work
- Business ownership potential
- Project variety
- Technology (drones, GPS, 3D scanning)
- Good income for education level
Cons:
- Weather exposure
- Remote/travel work
- Long path to licensure
- Physical demands
- Seasonal feast/famine in some areas
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