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How to become a Surveyor

Surveyor

Career progression and salary expectations for a Surveyor

1

Assistant Surveyor

| Up to £20,000
2

Surveyor

| Up to £35,000
3

Senior Surveyor

| Up to £60,000

The role of a Surveyor

Did you spend most of your childhood judging the other kids’ Lego designs rather than building your own? Then you should become a Surveyor…

A Surveyor measures various agricultural, structural, and economic aspects in specific areas of land or buildings. The data collected is used to support functions such as construction, mining, and engineering, and to provide expert advice and make informed decisions about work in these sectors.It is a broad role and the tasks involved are dependent on the specialism. They include focussing on the design and development of buildings, dealing with costs, or measuring data on areas of land.The tasks of a Surveyor include but are not limited to:

  • The surveying of land and property
  • Gathering data to map the contours of land or buildings
  • Assessing damage to existing buildings for insurance purposes
  • Putting together technical reports that determine requirements
  • Working with the client to address structural and/or agricultural issues and develop project plans
To be a good Surveyor, you will need to be able to demonstrate excellent problem solving skills combined with a love for maths and all things numbers. As the role is based around detailed analysis, a keen eye for detail is also important.

Because of the varied nature of the role, you’ll need to thrive in taking part in many different kinds of projects, both indoors and outdoors. An interest in science and geography is also an asset if you’re wanting to specialise in land surveying.

A Surveyor will also need to exhibit:

  • Good communication skills
  • The ability to display a high level of accuracy
  • An understanding of the client’s business requirements
  • Excellent planning skills
  • Knowledge of building and environmental regulations
"Being a Land Surveyor means I get to help to design lots of different types of construction by surveying the land it’s built on. It’s lucky I enjoy maths, because there’s a lot of numbers involved, and it’s very important that I’m always giving accurate data to my clients. One of the biggest bonuses for me is that it’s a great opportunity to spend time outdoors and explore lots of different areas of the environment. I’m also always kept busy and am constantly on my feet, so there’s never a dull day (this job probably won’t suit you if you’re a fan of sitting down all day). Understanding clients’ needs can sometimes be difficult if the land contours are against them, so I have to make sure I overcome these problems by communicating, and again, showing accurate data to support my findings."

Get qualified as a Surveyor

Most employers will require candidates to hold an accredited degree to be considered. There are also ‘earn while you learn’ alternatives which allow you to carry out an apprenticeship as a cost effective way of starting a career in Surveying.

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