GREG HILL
Field Manager, Mortgage Department
Greg manages our team of mortgage field crews across the entire McSteen service area. He and his team ensure a smooth start to every McSteen mortgage location order by kicking off the process with quality fieldwork.
Whether you’re buying a home, developing property, financing a construction project, or working in the title industry, you’ve likely noticed that land surveys can take longer than expected. The reason isn’t simply increased demand, it’s also the result of a nationwide shortage of licensed land surveyors.
While land surveying has always been a specialized profession, today’s workforce is facing a unique combination of challenges. Experienced surveyors are retiring, fewer young professionals are entering the field, and demand for surveying services continues to grow alongside real estate development and infrastructure investment.
We’ve experienced these industry changes firsthand at McSteen over more than 50 years of serving Ohio and now all of Indiana. Rather than simply adapting to the shortage, we’re investing in technology, people, and processes that help move the profession—and our clients—forward.
Why Are There So Few Land Surveyors?
There isn’t one single reason. The shortage is the result of several long-term trends working together.
1. An Aging Workforce
Like many skilled professions, land surveying has an aging workforce. Many licensed surveyors are approaching retirement, creating a growing need for the next generation of professionals.
Although demand for surveying services remains steady, replacing decades of institutional knowledge takes time. Becoming a licensed surveyor requires education, experience, and professional examinations, making workforce growth a long-term investment rather than a quick fix.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of surveyors is projected to grow through the next decade, with thousands of openings each year created largely by retirements and workforce replacement rather than rapid industry expansion.
2. Limited Awareness of the Profession
To be honest, many students simply don’t know that land surveying exists as a career opportunity. When people think about careers involving engineering, GIS, construction, or technology, surveying is often overlooked – even though it combines all of those disciplines.
Today’s surveyors work with:
- GPS technology
- Drones
- Robotic total stations
- 3D scanning
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- CAD software
- Historical research
- Property law
It’s a profession that blends technology, fieldwork, critical thinking, and problem solving.
3. Licensing Takes Time
Land surveyors play a critical role in defining property boundaries and protecting property rights. Because of that responsibility, becoming licensed requires a combination of education, supervised experience, and professional examinations. Requirements vary by state, but every licensed surveyor must demonstrate technical knowledge and professional judgment before signing surveys that carry legal significance.
While these standards protect the public, they also mean the profession cannot quickly replace retiring professionals.
4. Growing Demand
Surveyors support nearly every stage of land ownership and development. Demand continues to grow from:
- Residential home sales
- Commercial development
- Boundary surveys
- ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys
- Construction projects
- Utility infrastructure
- Mortgage Location Surveys / Surveyor Location Reports
As communities continue to grow across Ohio and Indiana, surveying remains an essential part of real estate and construction.
How Does the Surveyor Shortage Affect Property Owners?
Most people don’t think about surveyors until they need one. The shortage can affect:
Longer Wait Times – During peak construction and real estate seasons, scheduling a survey may take longer than expected.
Project Delays – Builders often cannot begin construction until surveying work is complete.
Real Estate Closings – Mortgage Location Surveys and Surveyor Location Reports help lenders and title companies identify potential issues before closing. Delays in obtaining these reports can impact transaction timelines.
Increased Planning – Property owners benefit from scheduling surveys as early as possible in their projects to avoid unnecessary delays.
Will Technology Replace Land Surveyors?
No. Technology is transforming surveying, but it isn’t replacing professional licensed surveyors.
Modern tools such as drones, GPS equipment, robotic instruments, and 3D scanning allow survey teams to collect data faster and more accurately than ever before. However, technology cannot determine legal property boundaries, interpret historical deeds, resolve conflicting evidence, or exercise the professional judgment of a licensed surveyor.
Technology makes surveyors more efficient – and we’re embracing that. But licensed professionals remain essential.
How McSteen is Helping Address the Challenge
At McSteen, we believe solving the workforce shortage requires more than simply hiring people, rather it requires investing in the future of the profession.
That includes:
- Continuing to invest in advanced surveying technology
- Building efficient workflows that improve turnaround times
- Developing cross-functional teams
- Creating opportunities for career growth
- Fostering a workplace culture that encourages innovation and continuous learning
Our investment in technology is designed to enhance—not replace—the expertise of our survey professionals. By combining experienced people with efficient processes, we’re able to provide the responsiveness and quality our clients expect.
Why This Matters to Our Clients
For title companies, lenders, developers, attorneys, builders, and homeowners, accurate surveying remains one of the most important steps in protecting a real estate investment. Our clients rely on us because they need:
- Accurate surveys
- Responsive communication
- Reliable turnaround times
- Experienced professionals
- A trusted partner who understands their deadlines
That’s why McSteen continues investing in the people and technology that allow us to deliver exceptional service throughout Ohio and Indiana.
Looking Toward the Future
The land surveying profession is evolving. While workforce shortages present challenges, they also create opportunities to modernize how surveying firms recruit talent, train professionals, and leverage technology.
We’re optimistic about the future.
As a third-generation family-owned company, McSteen remains committed to advancing the profession through innovation, education, and exceptional client service. Whether we’re helping close a residential transaction, supporting commercial development, or introducing someone to a rewarding surveying career, our mission remains the same:
Securing the Land where we Live, Work and Play.
Frequently Asked Questions
The shortage is primarily driven by retirements, limited awareness of surveying as a career, licensing requirements, and continued demand for surveying services.
Yes. Licensed land surveyors remain in demand throughout the United States as real estate development, infrastructure projects, and property transactions continue to require professional surveying services.
No. Modern technology improves efficiency and accuracy, but licensed surveyors are still responsible for interpreting legal records, establishing boundaries, and certifying survey results.
The best approach is to request surveying services as early as possible, especially during busy construction and real estate seasons.
Interested in Learning More?
Whether you need a Boundary Survey, ALTA Survey, Mortgage Location Survey, Surveyor Location Report (SLR), or Construction Draw Inspection, McSteen is here to help.
If you’re interested in joining a profession that combines technology, problem-solving, and real-world impact, explore career opportunities with the McSteen team and discover why land surveying continues to be one of the most rewarding careers in the built environment.