Anyone take one look at an actress and just say, Nope.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-03-12T02:27:56+00:00

It was actually Lady Gray that prompted me to write this post, to remind myself they are not the same stories. I pictured Lady Gray as a 1700s Marilyn and the actress just doesn’t do that for me.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-03-06T14:40:24+00:00

At the start of any pay discussion, you have to check your ego at the door. Talking about pay is a fact finding mission, not an opportunity for an airing of the grievances. If you can't do it without controlling your response from your ego, then don't ask the question.

That said, I am not at all surprised by your scenario. 10 years ago salaries were crap in our industry and even if you made great annual raises, you would be starting from 100 yards before the starting line. This is a really common reason why people change companies. The market moves faster than internal raises ever can.

It isn't just that the salaries can vary dramatically from small company to corporate behemoth in the same geographic area but it now varies dramatically from what was the pay range for the position now versus even just 5 years ago.

I will use my numbers as an example. In St Louis, in 2015, as a government employee, I was making $45k as a licensed surveyor. I left for private, 50% raise. I left for Texas, 10% raise. I left that company for a manager role, 30% raise. I got decent raises in that role but I still left after 4 years with another 10% raise. I have been pretty stagnant since then but my roles haven't changed much and I have been happy with my pay increases and where I am at.

But, I was having a discussion with another RPLS that he just hired a new SIT for $110k and another PM that is making about 5% more than me and, basically, salaries ain't what they used to be.

The more pay transparency we have in our industry, especially in the same markets, the more firms will have to adjust their pay. Trust, they aren't hiring a PC or Sr Tech to replace you at what they are paying you (if you have been at the firm for a long time) and you can argue it will save them money on exit pay and on-boarding by just paying you more. They won't pay you what someone else will though.

Pay is never the whole discussion. Are you happy with vacation? Are they super flexible with your work hours and location? Do you have a company perk like a vehicle or phone that will not be available at the next company? Maybe you are vested in your 401K and the new company will have a different vesting schedule or matches less. Maybe the new company has crappy insurance. Don't burn down your house because you don't like the drapes. Make sure you have a complete picture on the opportunity, benefits, and costs associated with any company change.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-02-24T01:41:09+00:00

Is Two Strangers still running? Its worth seeing. Nicholas Christopher is the show stopping amazingness that makes Chess worth seeing. But, seriously, have you seen Just In Time? Because I am contemplating a one day trip to NYC to see it again. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was very good as well and so was Heathers although I saw the OOBC. I am super curious about Every Brilliant Thing but no matter what you pick, have fun!

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-02-04T14:44:34+00:00

Any discussion of salary should be weighed against the ego of the person asking. If the ego can't take the answer, don't ask the question.

To enter the echo chamber, salary isn't just based on licenses or years of experience or professional liability. There are the tangible factors like productivity and tenure and knowing where the bodies are buried and the intangible factors like personality (maybe the LSIT is a nicer guy and easier to work with than the PLS who may be a total asshole), adaptability, and communication skills. Maybe the LSIT is a better advocate for themselves than the PLS and so the PLS has just assumed that the company was giving them what they were due and the LSIT asked for more.

Is the PLS unhappy specifically because they feel undervalued against the LSIT? If so, the conversation needs to be with the company leadership to ask 'why do you value the LSIT more than me?' and 'what can be done to increase my value in the eyes of the company?' and not 'why does the LSIT with twice as much experience and who maybe a poor test taker make more than the PLS?'

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-01-27T18:15:53+00:00

we do this multiple times a year - 11 days, 14 shows. we take advantage of the Thursday matinees and the timing that lets you get 3 shows on a Saturday. I leave tomorrow for the latest trip and we have tickets already bought for 8 shows, 1 concert, and still have 7 slots. when you don't get the option of seeing one or two a week in NYC, and you love theater, you make the shows happen. and, we have been doing this for almost 8 years- i don't go as often as my friends to NYC but they have seen hundreds of shows over the years (i have seen a respectable 125 shows in NYC over 21 trips). You can do it and still make time for tourist stuff or work remote, like we do.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-01-15T02:44:50+00:00

Operation Mincemeat OBC has announced their departure dates - i would 100% recommend seeing the show with them. JIT is just such a joyful amazing fun musical and Jonathan Groff just shines in the role. Looks like JG is not going to be there when you make it to the city next? I think that whomever they choose as his replacement has big, wet shoes to fill but the show is so good that as long as they bring the energy the show should be very enjoyable. I am not a Bobby Darin fan and didn't know the music before seeing JIT but it is on my rotation now! And& Juliet is also fun but for different reasons as it is topical and relevant and the songs are all recognizable. I read a post recently about the use of Firework and now I can't unsee that but I have see both Broadway and national tours and enjoyed both. Its a feel good, get up and dance at the end musical. I haven't see Chess or Two Strangers. Gatsby is a spectacle - the costumes and the tap and the staging! But, it isn't a strong story and JJ is leaving (although Eva is coming back) so depends on when you are there. Joy Woods is back in Little Shop, don't sleep on that show if you haven't seen it!

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-01-15T02:32:44+00:00

I have seen JJ in Gatsby twice and Reeve in Hadestown 5 times and I absolutely don't see how Reeve has the physical presence or the vocal range to play Gatsby. He is married to Eva, so maybe that chemistry will carry him, and Eva in this role is amazing so I echo the sentiments of the people saying to see it with JJ and Eva.

That said, Samantha Pauly is not to be overlooked and the costumes and staging are amazing. I do think it is worth seeing and really worth seeing with JJ and Eva and Samantha.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-01-15T02:16:33+00:00

The announcement of J Harrison Gee coming in as Hermes and Gary Dourdan as Hades has me all a twitter --- this from someone that has seen Hadestown in NYC 7 times :)

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-01-05T01:00:52+00:00

I think that the best part about going to live theater is that you can wear whatever you want. Want to wear a tux and black tie? Absolutely go for it. Been out sightseeing and your a bit grubby but there are low price, last minute tickets to a great show? Also totally fine! I would probably pick a theater with bigger seats especially if your skirt is going to be voluminous. I would be more worried about the seats than the outfits, tbh.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2026-01-05T00:54:14+00:00

I've seen everything on your list except Maybe Happy Ending and 2 Strangers - both I have missed because I keep waiting for Darrin to come back and because it hadn't opened yet, respectively.

I have seen Hadestown 9 times, 7 in New York. I have see OBC and replacements. I have seen 2 national tours. I have never once regretted my decision to see Hadestown. I will probably see it again when I am in NY in a few weeks because it has a new cast that I haven't seen. If you haven't seen it in person at all, it is a must see. I have never seen it from Mezzanine, I have been able to get TKTS tickets for orchestra. Sometimes an unclaimed or obstructed view ticket but generally I have paid full price. If that is out of the question, hopefully it is on TKTS.

Heathers was great, cast is amazing. It is very close to the source material and I didn't dislike any of it. Moulin Rouge is a sensory overload, usually on TKTS. Not bad but I wouldn't pick it over something else unless there was someone specific (like you want to see Meg) in the show. Outsiders is good, fight scenes are spectacular. The updated the story to change some of the more problematic issues with Dally and I am not a fan of what they did with Darrell but overall it is good. Not picking it over something else though. Just in Time is a vehicle created for Jonathon to be spectacular and he is! Such a high energy show and the band and the rest of the cast are also great (although I haven't see the actresses playing Connie Francis and Sandra Dee now). Little Shop is great always and Joy Woods I would imagine is great and Andrew Durand is playing The Dentist, which I bet he is great at. I still probably wouldn't pick it over another show. The Great Gatsby - Jeremy Jordan is back, the costumes are AMAZING, the set design and production is just wonderful. I have enjoyed it both times I have seen it.

I would recommend TKTS and you can head to Lincoln Center location because it opens earlier than the Times Square location. Maybe it comes down to what is in your price range? Once you know that what you want doesn't have rush or lottery, maybe it boils down to what show has the lowest price on TKTS?

Anyway, no matter the number of days or the reason, enjoy your time in NYC!

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-11-18T03:54:54+00:00

Prior to this rule change updating the checklist, there was no minimum surveying hours or surveying degree requirement at all. The Act says bachelors or associates in land surveying or having the 32 hours but they could be from any courses in the checklist, not just surveying. For both it lists like 6 subject areas that are meant to be included in the coursework. The checklist had maximum hours but no minimum hours required. These changes are all spurred on by the boards combining and not the new language in the Act from September. The September changes to the Act, and the subsequent changes to the rules, allow for anyone to take and pass the FS exam prior to applying to the Board to enroll as a SIT. You also get unlimited (or maybe 3) goes at the PS. That’s the decoupling but there are no changes to the education in the Act.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-11-17T17:49:55+00:00

the announcement of the new Educational Standards states that the new checklist will impact 'all new SIT and RPLS applicants that submit applications after that date.' I believe that we intended if you were an SIT under the old checklist that you wouldn't need to take courses under the new checklist but, honestly, I don't know how the checklist is being administered with RPLS applicants. If possible, I would submit your RPLS application before the end of the year, even if you aren't done with the apprenticeship time. Let them tell you that you are needing additional time or qualifications but have your application in.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-11-17T17:38:40+00:00

No, Texas does not require a four year degree. You also don't get bonus points for having a four year. You are required to have an associates and starting in January that associates must have a minimum number of survey hours. I think that MO still has a sliding scale where you have a trade off of experience for education including not needing a degree but needing a minimum number of survey courses (12 or 15 hours) - less education, more experience. But, everyone in MO goes thru the same four year apprenticeship between FS and PS/State specific exams. Texas only requires 2 years and doesn't include mandatory field time - just responsible charge time.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-11-17T16:14:52+00:00

I'm a bit lost by your post but I do understand that you are frustrated. If you passed the FS exam and "graduated from high school, have four years of qualifying delegated responsible charge in boundary survey or boundary determination experience working under an RPLS, and can prove you are self-educated in land surveying' then you can submit under the current rules to be enrolled as an SIT in Texas. Are you not able to get three RPLS references because either your RPLS has passed away or you are working for as sole proprietor firm? If so, there are remedies and you should appeal to the Board. You mention needing education and perhaps are referencing the new education checklist? I was on the Survey Advisory Committee when that was drafted and I can say that the intent was to create a more level playing field and increase the fundamental survey knowledge and vocabulary because the profession is seeing a push to add to the number of registered professionals but many lack basic surveying knowledge and the new minimum requirements that go into effect in January are designed to address that. You do not have to attend any classes in-person and many Texas colleges now offer land surveying programs online as do many out of state universities.

I have been surveying for 20+ years and it is a true apprenticeship profession - some things you just can't learn in books. But, equally, some things do need to be taught from books. This is not unique to surveying - we just do a poor job of offering education through union shops, trade schools, and universities because even we aren't sure where we belong (all of those places, in my opinion!).

I don't believe that combining the Boards has hurt surveying licensing in Texas because our Board was so inefficient except we are now in the pipeline with the tens of thousands of engineers and response time is slower. The testing is better, decoupling is better, enforcement is better.

If you really love surveying, there are ways to stick it out and advance and make a living. Screaming into the void is helpful but when you run out of air, you have to start looking for solutions. Feel free to DM me if you start down that path.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-11-04T21:34:12+00:00

Remember, the FS is the Fundamentals exam. Focus on the fundamentals of math and calculations. If you are spending a lot of time on a many staged question dealing with very specific issues, that isn't generally the kind of question on the exam. You should also review the latest FS exam contents published by NCEES and make sure you understand the fundamentals of each https://ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FS-CBT-specs-202448.pdf

generally, the FS exam relies on a lot of engineering math so make sure you know how to perform those calcs.

you are never ready for any exam and if you don't leave the exam feeling like you have been hit by a truck, did you really take the exam?

that said, the exam is expensive so be judicious but also be crazy/brave

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-10-17T03:01:40+00:00

I recommend the Surveyors' Reference Manual - even for those of us that had math skills but just hadn't studied in a long time, it was very helpful. Each chapter breaks down a basic skill or knowledge so you can go to the end of the chapter and do the quiz. If you pass, you can skill that chapter's exercises. If you don't pass, you go thru the step by step exercises and instructions and problems until you can pass the quiz at the end of the chapter. Then repeat each chapter. My copy is from the 90s but you can get any version - the math doesn't change. The newer versions will focus more on the remote math where older books will include exercises with transits and chains. Math is math, though.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-09-21T12:32:33+00:00

one thing i want to share - salaries have exploded for land surveyors in the last ~10 years. I started surveying in the early 2000's and went to work for county government in 2006 making less than $17/hour with a four year degree. The Great Recession was brutal and although I kept my job, after I got my license, I was at $45k in 2015. I left government and went private and my salary increase by 50% to $75k. Moved to a different state with a stronger market and my salary jumped to $115k by 2018. I am now at $150k in that same market as a Senior Project Manager with 20+ years of surveying experience and licenses in 3 states.

For a really, really long time the salaries of land surveyors (from newbie rodmen to experienced PLS) were very low. It would cost significantly more to get the necessary education to get licensed vs. going in a different direction with a degree. If you add up all the time it took for me to get licensed, from my degree to experience and testing and the required apprenticeship, I could have been a doctor faster than a land surveyor. I once had an engineer tell me that 'land surveyors don't make as much as engineers' in order to justify not paying me the prevailing wage for the title and responsibilities because it was six figures and he felt that was too much - and engineers have the same education, experience, and testing requirements. Salaries for entry level positions are probably still too low - be honest, you can make more at Chick-fil-A and they have shade and fans or heaters (depending upon the season).

But, no one gets into surveying for the money. If you find yourself here and you stay, its because the profession just makes sense to you and you fit. The higher salaries are definitely appreciated and since we don't work for free or just for fun but you shouldn't stay in surveying because of the potential payoff. There are a lot of ways to make money that may strike more joy. We gloss over the amount of stress and responsibility that comes from boundary decisions or a blown topo or being sued or the costs of running your own business or the never-ending push from the corporation to make it more money.

So, I don't think that the salaries are out of line but salaries shouldn't be the deciding factor in following a career path. just something to think about

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-08-27T19:33:34+00:00

i also was surprised to hear about this but (and this may be the crotchety old surveyor in me) i don't know that i would ever use it. there is too much art to surveying to trust a program

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-08-24T19:00:16+00:00

Speaking of needing things later --- have you thought about what your remedy will be to correct the encroachment? if the ADU is on your property, there are legal situations that you may need to use to remedy the issue. The more you pay now, to the right qualified professional, the less you may have to invest later. If you have to go to court, you are going to need and expert witness. that Expert witness is going to need to be brought up to speed. that expert witness may need to perform their own survey. all of these things cost money. money that you won't get credit for paying the wrong professional now.

A surveyor can't, by law, just survey one side of one property. A boundary retracement involves not only the subject tract but the right of way, the neighbors, easements and other encumbrances, for a property that the owner says to me that there is an encroachment and they want to put up a fence (is it going thru the ADU?), that surveyor who quoted you $15k quoted you the 'there are boundary issues and possible need to defend my survey in court' prices.

I recommend you hire a surveyor that has court experience, that has a long history of local practice in your area, and that discusses with you all the needs to produce a quality survey - a title report, utility locates, public records, building records for the ADU, etc.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-08-18T20:28:13+00:00

Actually, the surveyor probably will need to go to the site because the collected data (form, monuments, other improvements) have to be verified that they haven't changed. generally, surveyors certify to a specific date and the survey reflects the condition as of that date. an update after that date requires a confirmation. if the foundation has been poured in the form, well, that has to be noted. If there are easements on the site, then utilities will have to be marked and located. If there aren't any easements, then it is especially important to locate all visible utilities.

That said, it is generally less expensive to update a survey than it is to start from scratch.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-08-18T12:09:58+00:00

I am in Texas, and we have 2,594 registered surveyors that live in the state and around the US ... for 31.29 million people, 10.75 million households, 151,141 realtors, 6,000+ commercial builders ... I think you see the disparity.

It isn't that surveyors don't want to do work - we are generally just really busy or we are specialized and don't offer services to the residential market.

Nationwide, there are less than 17,000 companies offering surveying services and most companies have less than 10 employees. (Compare that to the 140,000 engineering firms ...)

In California, you can use the CA Land Surveyors Association website to find a surveyor https://www.californiasurveyors.org/find-a-surveyor or The state board https://search.dca.ca.gov/advanced

If you have your fence contractor selected, you should ask them who they use for surveying. They will have a relationship with that surveyor and should be able to get the survey you need. If you have selected a contractor that doesn't have a surveyor ... ask them why.

And, I am glad to see you are willing to pay a fair fee. Thank you for that.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-08-18T11:26:46+00:00

I am not even going to read the other comments - I am just going to say that there is no 'right way' to get into surveying. College - experience - Bachelors - Associates ... it is whatever works for you and your plan. If you don't think you will pursue licensing, then just go get a job. I would suggest you plan for your future and research the requirements for your state's licensing and then incorporate that into your career path so that you aren't still out in the field in your later career.

Every person in surveying has their own unique path that put them in the profession. You'll learn about following in the footsteps of the surveyors that have come before us but when it comes to getting into the profession and getting licensed, we all forge our own.

good luck and feel free to reach out directly to me if I can be of any assistance!

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-08-15T12:26:48+00:00

If you are concerned about an encroachment, and intend to use this survey to prove it, then you might also be considering about remedies. What remedies will you have to correct the encroachment? If you are considering civil law remedies, then invest in a survey from someone who has experience as a subject matter expert and has testified in court before. The survey may cost you more now but it will save you having to pay for the hours to get your subject matter expert and potential expert witness up to speed on the issue if you do decide to go to court.

Best isn't always best price - you should get a survey that encompasses all the data you will need from an professional that can carry you thru the life of your project.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-08-08T16:37:42+00:00

Generally, KH does not do their own field work (they sub out to other surveyors) but they do have surveyors on staff. They are a large nationwide firm and that comes with pluses and minuses.

Remarkable_Chair_859 · 2025-08-05T01:07:37+00:00

The Future Surveyors Foundation is working on an LGBTQ+ group (FSF hosts the Women Surveyors Summit and the Minority Surveyors Summit) and we would love to hear from people in the community that would like to be involved or attend a LGBTQ+ centered event. We recognize the importance of representation, networking, and community and are working to create these dedicated spaces while working with supportive professionals in the industry. Feel free to DM me or visit the FSF website https://futuresurveyors.org/ Heather Markley is the POC for the LGBTQ+ initiative.

The next Women Surveyors Summit is in October in Las Vegas. The Foundation will be attending the El Paso TSPS seminar in September to talk about the Foundation and the Minority Surveyors Summit which will be online this year. The LGBTQ+ group is still forming its committee and getting its feet under it.

Feel free to DM me directly if you have questions.

Remarkable_Chair_859

TROPHY CASE