Surveyors
SOC: 17-1022.00 · Job Zone 4 (Considerable preparation)
Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
AI Impact Summary
Surveyors faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 36/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2041 and 2051. Of 24 analyzed tasks, 7 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$72,740
per year
Mean Wage
$76,730
per year
Employment
53K
workers
Wage Range
$43,680 - $116,330
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.4%
Skill Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (7)
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Surveyors professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
24 tasks analyzed
Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
Prepare or supervise preparation of all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.
Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments.
Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy.
Record the results of surveys including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.
Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS).
Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.
Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation.
Testify as an expert witness in court cases on land survey issues, such as property boundaries.
Develop criteria for survey methods and procedures.
Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.
Survey bodies of water to determine navigable channels and to secure data for construction of breakwaters, piers, and other marine structures.
Direct aerial surveys of specified geographical areas.
Conduct research in surveying and mapping methods using knowledge of techniques of photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing.
Determine specifications for photographic equipment to be used for aerial photography, as well as altitudes from which to photograph terrain.
Develop criteria for the design and modification of survey instruments.
Locate and mark sites selected for geophysical prospecting activities such as efforts to locate petroleum or other mineral products.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 6% |
| Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles. | Non-Routine Manual | 15 | 15.0 | 8% |
| Prepare or supervise preparation of all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 6% |
| Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed. | Routine Cognitive | 65 | 75.2 | 6% |
| Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 5% |
| Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 5% |
| Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 20 | 23.0 | 5% |
| Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments. | Non-Routine Manual | 10 | 13.0 | 6% |
| Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 5% |
| Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy. | Routine Manual | 35 | 47.0 | 3% |
| Record the results of surveys including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 4% |
| Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 20 | 23.0 | 4% |
| Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS). | Non-Routine Manual | 10 | 13.0 | 5% |
| Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 5% |
| Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation. | Non-Routine Analytical | 65 | 53.0 | 4% |
| Testify as an expert witness in court cases on land survey issues, such as property boundaries. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 10 | 19.0 | 2% |
| Develop criteria for survey methods and procedures. | Non-Routine Analytical | 60 | 51.0 | 3% |
| Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements. | Non-Routine Manual | 10 | 13.0 | 6% |
| Survey bodies of water to determine navigable channels and to secure data for construction of breakwaters, piers, and other marine structures. | Non-Routine Manual | 25 | 19.0 | 3% |
| Direct aerial surveys of specified geographical areas. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 3% |
| Conduct research in surveying and mapping methods using knowledge of techniques of photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing. | Non-Routine Analytical | 65 | 53.0 | 2% |
| Determine specifications for photographic equipment to be used for aerial photography, as well as altitudes from which to photograph terrain. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 2% |
| Develop criteria for the design and modification of survey instruments. | Non-Routine Analytical | 60 | 51.0 | 2% |
| Locate and mark sites selected for geophysical prospecting activities such as efforts to locate petroleum or other mineral products. | Non-Routine Manual | 10 | 13.0 | 2% |
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