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Surveying & Mapping Services in the US - Market Research Report (2015-2030)

Dmitry Diment Dmitry Diment New York, United States Last Updated: June 2025 NAICS 54137

Revenue

$11.5bn

2025

$11.5bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

68,810

Businesses

17,511

Wages

$X.Xbn

Surveying & Mapping Services in the US industry analysis

Revenue for the Surveying and Mapping Services industry has been volatile in the years since the pandemic. As the economy emerged from a short-lived downturn, surveyors were buoyed by strong residential construction resulting from record-low interest rates. Investment from the commercial sector also expanded as corporate profit soared. However, as the Federal Reserve raised the cost of borrowing to combat high inflation, homebuying and existing home improvements declined, severely inhibiting the residential sector and prompting a multi-year revenue decline for the industry. While interest rates have remained elevated, the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has pumped millions of dollars into highway construction, civil engineering, mineral surveying and geospatial data processing, rewarding select surveying and mapping companies with hefty contracts. Thus, industry revenue is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.0% through 2025, even as interest rates remain elevated. In 2025, the industry is projected to grow 1.8% with revenue totalling $11.5 billion.

Advances in technology are revolutionizing surveying by enabling faster, more accurate data collection and processing. Mobile mapping tools, UAVs, 3D laser scanning and AI-driven analytics are streamlining workflows, reducing field time and expanding the range of services companies offer. These innovations are supporting complex projects in construction, infrastructure and smart city planning, while cloud-based GIS and automation are improving productivity. As these tools are becoming industry standards, companies that have been quick to adopt them have gained a competitive edge. This increased competition has left laggards behind, making innovation incumbent to sustaining profitability.
The industry will continue to see modest expansion as steady economic growth will increase demand from the nonresidential sector. However, economic uncertainty and the expectation of conservative monetary policy by the Federal Reserve will continue to keep interest rates elevated, tempering the residential housing market. Still, surveyors will benefit from new home construction that is expected to rise above historical averages, especially in regions where job growth will support relocation. Through 2030, industry revenue is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 1.1% to reach $12.2 billion.

Trends and Insights

  • The industry has fared with significant revenue volatility. Still, government investment, especially from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has offset some private sector declines, rewarding surveyors with major contracts.
  • Cadastral and property line surveying map boundaries for plots of land, often for new home construction. Rising interest rates have curbed the housing market and hindered demand for these services.
  • Infrastructure investment in the geographically expansive West and Southwest aims to connect major cities. Governments often fund these projects, spurring demand for the industry's services in these regions.
  • Educational and licensing requirements for mappers and surveyors, along with high wage costs, increase barriers to entry. Capital costs often aren't a problem for potential entrants because surveyors and mappers don't need to invest in plants and equipment.

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  • Market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $11.5bn in 2025.

Trends and Insights

New service models bring a rebound for the industry

  • Surveying and mapping has shown a strong post-pandemic growth, following revenue declines in 2022 and 2023 because of construction slowdowns. In 2024, revenue rebounded, supported by renewed demand from both public and private sector clients. This recovery was particularly evident in infrastructure development, environmental planning and urban expansion projects, with government-funded initiatives playing a stabilizing role amid broader economic uncertainties.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Surveying & Mapping Services in the US
Revenue (2015-2030)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2025-2030)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Sustained commercial and public interest will lead to robust growth in the coming years

  • Surveying and mapping will experience robust growth over the coming years, driven by sustained demand from both commercial enterprises and government initiatives. Despite ongoing economic challenges such as inflation and high interest rates, the industry’s structural foundations and strategic expansion into emerging sectors will secure steady upward momentum. Increased infrastructure spending will be a key catalyst for this growth.

Biggest companies in the Surveying & Mapping Services in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue ($short_0)
2025
Profit ($short_0)
2025
Profit Margin (%)
2025

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Surveying & Mapping Services in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Surveying & Mapping Services in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Cadastral, property line and boundary surveying , Construction surveying and Topographical and planimetric surveying and mapping. Cadastral, property line and boundary surveying is the largest segment of the Surveying & Mapping Services in the US.

Trends and Insights

The housing market drives cadastral and property line surveying

  • Cadastral and property line surveying involves mapping land boundaries to define plots for ownership, development and construction purposes. This type of surveying is essential for legal property descriptions, resolving boundary disputes and preparing sites for new residential buildings. Representing over one-quarter of total industry revenue, cadastral surveys support real estate transactions and land development by providing precise, legally recognized boundary data.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry perform surveying and mapping services on the surface of the earth, including the sea floor. These services include surveying and mapping areas above or below the earth's surface, such as creating view easements or segregating rights in parcels of land by building underground utility easements, which give certain rights to real property without possessing it.

What's included in this industry?

Products and services covered in the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States include Topographic surveying and mapping services, Planimetric surveying and mapping services, Hydrographic and bathymetric surveying and mapping services, Boundary, property line and cadastral surveying and mapping services, Subdivision layout and design services, Construction surveying services, Geodetic surveying and ground control support services, Providing geospatial processing services, Providing engineering services and Providing landscape architecture services.

Companies

Companies covered in the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States include .

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

Related terms covered in the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States include surveying, cadastral surveying, cartography, hydrographic surveying and photogrammetry.

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 54137 - Surveying & Mapping Services in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The industry has fared with significant revenue volatility. Still, government investment, especially from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has offset some private sect...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Cadastral and property line surveying map boundaries for plots of land, often for new home construction. Rising interest rates have curbed the housing market and hindered dem...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2025
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2025
  • Major market segmentation in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Infrastructure investment in the geographically expansive West and Southwest aims to connect major cities. Governments often fund these projects, spurring demand for the indu...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Educational and licensing requirements for mappers and surveyors, along with high wage costs, increase barriers to entry. Capital costs often aren't a problem for potential e...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The surveying and mapping industry is highly fragmented, with low market share concentration and few dominant players. This landscape features many small, local surveyors com...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    The industry receives assistance from various private and public sources. For example, The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) provides advocacy and surveying g...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Average wages in the industry peaked in 2021 due to strong demand during the pandemic recovery. However, wages' share of revenue has gradually declined as companies invest in...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
    • Income Statement (2018-2023)
    • Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
    • Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2023)
    • Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
    • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
    • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
    • Average Wage (2015-2030)
    • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
    • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
    • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
    • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2015-2030)
    • IVA (2015-2030)
    • Establishments (2015-2030)
    • Enterprises (2015-2030)
    • Employment (2015-2030)
    • Exports (2015-2030)
    • Imports (2015-2030)
    • Wages (2015-2030)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States in 2025?

    The market size of the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States is $11.5bn in 2025.

    How many businesses are there in the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States in 2025?

    There are 17,511 businesses in the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2020 and 2025.

    How may import tariffs affect the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States?

    The Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

    How may export tariffs affect the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States?

    The Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

    Has the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 2.0 % between 2020 and 2025.

    What is the forecast growth of the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States include?

    Topographic surveying and mapping services and Planimetric surveying and mapping services are part of the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States.

    How competitive is the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States?

    The level of competition is high and steady in the Surveying & Mapping Services industry in the United States.

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    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

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    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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