Surveyors
Human Advantage 68%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.6 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
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.
Also Known As: City Surveyor, Construction Surveyor, County Surveyor, Field Surveyor, Geophysical Prospecting Surveyor, Health Facilities Surveyor, Home Surveyor, Insurance Loss Control Surveyor +22 more
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Core Tasks
- Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
- 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.
- Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
- Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
- Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
- Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
- Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.
- Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
- Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.
- Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments.
- Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS).
- Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.
- Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.
- 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.
- Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy.
- Develop criteria for survey methods and procedures.
- 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 photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing.
Supplemental Tasks (3)
- Locate and mark sites selected for geophysical prospecting activities, such as efforts to locate petroleum or other mineral products.
- Determine specifications for 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.
Education & Training
Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (49)
Tools & Equipment (62)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Conservation & Land Management Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 4
Surveyors You are here
Zone 5
Environmental Restoration Planners 79% match
Architecture & Civil Engineering Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists 78% match
Zone 4
Surveyors You are here
Zone 5
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval 78% match
Resource Extraction Advanced Manufacturing
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