South Texas College builds surveyor pipeline as Texas shortage deepens

Texas is facing a growing shortage of licensed land surveyors just as development accelerates — a gap that South Texas College says it is working to fill by training a new generation of geospatial technology professionals in the Rio Grande Valley.

College officials say the school’s Surveying and Geospatial Technology program is preparing students to enter a profession that plays a critical role in property ownership, real estate transactions, infrastructure projects, and engineering work.

Program coordinator Manuel “Manny” Carrizales said demand for surveyors continues to rise as many professionals in the field approach retirement age and fewer new workers enter the profession.

“To put it into perspective, imagine if there were only three dentists in the entire Valley. That’s kind of where we’re at with land surveyors,” Carrizales said. “At STC, we are proud to lead the way in creating the next group of professionals who will enter a career that is seeing increasing demand.”

Development boom fuels demand

Carrizales said surveyors are often involved early in projects ranging from home purchases and land transfers to large-scale development and infrastructure construction.

“Most people will need a surveyor before they need an engineer,” Carrizales said. “The minute you buy a house, buy property or inherit land, you know you are going to need a land surveyor.”

Faculty member Jesus Amaya said the program maintains close ties with local surveying firms, many of which regularly contact the college when they are hiring.

“We have many representatives in the industry who are always looking for students who want to work,” Amaya said. “As faculty in the program, we take on this role to make sure they are ready for the demands of the job.”

Read more: Millions are flowing into the Valley’s water infrastructure. A new program aims to train the workers needed to run it.

Combining principles and modern technology

The program blends traditional land surveying practices with modern geospatial technology used across the industry.

Students learn to operate Global Positioning System equipment, satellites, and mapping systems while also studying Texas boundary law and land history, Carrizales said.

“Your phone will get you from here to a restaurant in California,” Carrizales said. “Surveying will get you to the nickel that’s thrown on the sidewalk next to the fire hydrant at the restaurant.”

Employers recruit directly from program

Juan Olivarez, a graduate of the program, said the industry connections built through the college helped him move quickly into the workforce.

“You can work with banks, realtors and engineers…you can work with oil companies or for the government,” he said.

Olivarez earned an associate degree in Geospatial Technology from South Texas College in May 2025 and began working for a land surveying company after connecting with employers while still enrolled.

“A lot of what I learned in my classes is definitely applicable to what I am doing now,” Olivarez said. “Things like understanding boundaries, and the court cases we studied in class for example, makes me more well-rounded to make critical decisions at work.”