How to become a Surveying Manager

Plans, manages and coordinates land, mine or engineering surveying operations to ensure accurate data collection for mapping, design and construction.

Main tasks

• Plans, develops and manages surveying operations, including determining project scope, scheduling, budget and resources
• Develops, improves and directs the preparation of surveying plans, reports, maps and data visualisations
• Directs and supervises the work of surveying teams, and provides surveying support and guidance
• Implements quality assurance processes to ensure surveying data collection is accurate and meets regulatory and client requirements
• Ensures surveying teams and other site personnel adhere to safety protocols and guidelines during fieldwork
• May collaborate with engineers, construction workers and other Professionals and technicians to integrate surveying data into the construction process

Ways in

• University: Architecture & Built Environment degrees, Offered by 24 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying (CPC60121); Advanced Diploma of Surveying (CPP60121); Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services (CPP41721); Diploma of Surveying (CPP50121)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $147,940 a year
• About 68,800 people work in this job group now, and about 82,900 are projected by 2035. (+20.4%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Construction Project Manager
• Engineering Manager
• Project Builder
• Property Developer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Surveying Manager?

Ways in include: Architecture & Built Environment degrees; Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying; Advanced Diploma of Surveying.

How much does a Surveying Manager earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $147,940 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Surveying Manager a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 20% by 2035, from about 68,800 to about 82,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Surveying Manager?

Not always. 53% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Architecture & Built Environment degrees; Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying; Advanced Diploma of Surveying.

Will AI change the work of a Surveying Manager?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04