21203 – Land surveyors
This occupation is on IRCC's Express Entry high-wage list (median wage at least 1.3 times the average median wage). From November 3, 2026, 12 months of qualifying Canadian work experience in it can add 20 CRS points, or a qualifying job offer in it can earn 50 points. Only the higher of the two counts, not both.
Lead statement
Land surveyors plan, direct and conduct legal surveys to establish the location of real property boundaries, contours and other natural or human-made features, and prepare and maintain cross-sectional drawings, official plans, records and documents pertaining to these surveys.
Main duties
- Develop survey plans, methods and procedures for conducting legal surveys
- Plan, direct and supervise or conduct surveys to establish and mark legal boundaries of properties, parcels of lands, provincial and Canada Lands, Aboriginal land claims, wellsites, mining claims, utility rights-of-way, roadways and highways
- Survey and lay out subdivisions for rural and urban development
- Determine precise locations using electronic distance measuring equipment, global positioning systems (GPS), and unmanned aerial vehicules (UAV)/drones
- 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 supervise the preparation and compilation of all data, plans, charts, records and documents related to surveys of real property boundaries
- Certify and assume liability for surveys made to establish real property boundaries
- Advise, provide consultation and testify as an expert witness on matters related to legal surveys
- May supervise other land surveyors, and land survey technologists and technicians.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in geomatics engineering or survey engineering is usually required.
- 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.
Example job titles
cadastral surveyor · Canada lands surveyor · city surveyor · commissioned land surveyor · country surveyor · land surveyor · legal surveyor · land surveying party chief · pipeline surveyor · port surveyor · professional land surveyor · property surveyor · provincial land surveyor · railway surveyor · land survey supervisor
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $29.00 | $42.20 | $60.51 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $22.60 | $39.88 | $51.16 |
| Nova Scotia | $30.00 | $36.06 | $63.94 |
| New Brunswick | $25.73 | $39.92 | $67.47 |
| Quebec | $30.00 | $40.06 | $51.00 |
| Ontario | $26.54 | $39.36 | $62.08 |
| Manitoba | $26.81 | $41.23 | $65.31 |
| Alberta | $26.00 | $48.53 | $61.00 |
| British Columbia | $35.00 | $40.87 | $60.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.