Geodetic Surveyors

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

O*NET-SOC code: 17-1022.01

Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
High· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.002
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.44
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

16 rated tasks · 14 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (87.5%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Task (O*NET 30.2)	Claude.aiRaw / share %	APIRaw / share %
Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data. 17-1022.01	0.030050.0	0.040080.0
Prepare progress or technical reports. 17-1022.01	0.020033.3	0.010020.0
Review existing standards, controls, or equipment used, recommending changes or upgrades as needed. 17-1022.01	0.010016.7	0.00000.0
Not observed on any surface — 13 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states.
Provide training and interpretation in the use of methods or procedures for observing and checking controls for geodetic and plane coordinates.	—0	—0
Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.	—0	—0
Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.	—0	—0
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in technology, equipment, or systems.	—0	—0
Request additional survey data when field collection errors occur or engineering surveying specifications are not maintained.	—0	—0
Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.	—0	—0
Compute, retrace, or adjust existing surveys of features such as highway alignments, property boundaries, utilities, control and other surveys to match the ground elevation-dependent grids, geodetic grids, or property boundaries and to ensure accuracy and continuity of data used in engineering, surveying, or construction projects.	—0	—0
Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth's surface.	—0	—0
Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.	—0	—0
Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.	—0	—0
Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects.	—0	—0
Determine orientation of tracts of land, including position, boundaries, size, and shape, using theodolites, electronic distance-measuring equipment, satellite-based positioning equipment, land information systems, or other geodetic survey equipment.	—0	—0
Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.	—0	—0

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in technology, equipment, or systems. O*NET Task ID 16291	1.0
Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data. O*NET Task ID 16292	1.0
Prepare progress or technical reports. O*NET Task ID 16294	1.0
Review existing standards, controls, or equipment used, recommending changes or upgrades as needed. O*NET Task ID 16287	0.5
Provide training and interpretation in the use of methods or procedures for observing and checking controls for geodetic and plane coordinates. O*NET Task ID 16288	0.5
Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed. O*NET Task ID 16289	0.5
Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public. O*NET Task ID 16290	0.5
Request additional survey data when field collection errors occur or engineering surveying specifications are not maintained. O*NET Task ID 16293	0.5
Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data. O*NET Task ID 16295	0.5
Compute, retrace, or adjust existing surveys of features such as highway alignments, property boundaries, utilities, control and other surveys to match the ground elevation-dependent grids, geodetic grids, or property boundaries and to ensure accuracy and continuity of data used in engineering, surveying, or construction projects. O*NET Task ID 16296	0.5
Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards. O*NET Task ID 16299	0.5
Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects. O*NET Task ID 16300	0.5
Determine orientation of tracts of land, including position, boundaries, size, and shape, using theodolites, electronic distance-measuring equipment, satellite-based positioning equipment, land information systems, or other geodetic survey equipment. O*NET Task ID 16301	0.5
Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces. O*NET Task ID 16302	0.5
Show 4 more tasks ▾Show less ▴
Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth's surface. O*NET Task ID 16297	0.0
Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface. O*NET Task ID 16298	0.0

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (16)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Review existing standards, controls, or equipment used, recommending changes or upgrades as needed.	Core
Provide training and interpretation in the use of methods or procedures for observing and checking controls for geodetic and plane coordinates.	Core
Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.	Core
Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.	Core
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in technology, equipment, or systems.	Core
Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.	Core
Request additional survey data when field collection errors occur or engineering surveying specifications are not maintained.	Core
Prepare progress or technical reports.	Core
Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.	Core
Compute, retrace, or adjust existing surveys of features such as highway alignments, property boundaries, utilities, control and other surveys to match the ground elevation-dependent grids, geodetic grids, or property boundaries and to ensure accuracy and continuity of data used in engineering, surveying, or construction projects.	Core
Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth's surface.	Core
Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.	Core
Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.	Core
Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects.	Core
Determine orientation of tracts of land, including position, boundaries, size, and shape, using theodolites, electronic distance-measuring equipment, satellite-based positioning equipment, land information systems, or other geodetic survey equipment.	Core
Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.	Core

Anthropic, "What work can robots do?"2026-09

0.00/ 3· Robot exposure index

0 none3 unstructured settings

Scale, basis and source

Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time

Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks

Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.

Source dataset

The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.

Tier of each physical task

Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)

E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site

Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.

Task (O*NET 29.3)	Robot environment tier
Determine orientation of tracts of land, including position, boundaries, size, and shape, using theodolites, electronic distance-measuring equipment, satellite-based positioning equipment, land information systems, or other geodetic survey equipment.	E0 none
Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.	E0 none

Employment outlook (BLS)

Values for the whole SOC 17-1022 group (Surveyors), not for this O*NET occupation alone.

Employment, 2025: 52K
Projected employment, 2035: 55K
Change (2025–35): +5.8%
Median annual wage, 2025: $75,440
Typical education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
23161	측량 및 지리정보 기술자	This occupation is narrower	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 2165Cartographers and Surveyors

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Cartographers and surveyors determine the exact position of, or prepare and revise digital, graphic and pictorial maps, charts or other visual representation of, natural and constructed features and boundaries of land, seas, underground areas and celestial bodies, applying scientific and mathematical principles.

Tasks

(a) surveying, measuring and describing land surfaces, mines, underground surfaces, sea, river and lake beds;
(b) noting exact position of various features and recording survey data in digital form;
(c) making charts and maps to be used in determining navigable waters and channels and in planning construction of marine structures;
(d) planning and conducting aerial photographic surveys;
(e) designing, compiling and revising maps and charts using aerial and other photographs, satellite imagery, survey documents and data, existing maps and records, reports and statistics;
(f) undertaking research and development of surveying and photogrammetric measurement systems, cadastral systems and land information systems;
(g) studying and advising on technical, aesthetic and economic aspects of map production;
(h) maintaining technical liaison and consultancy with other relevant specialists.

Example occupations

Aerial surveyor · Cadastral surveyor · Cartographer · Hydrographic surveyor · Land surveyor · Mine surveyor · Photogrammetrist

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

ISCO-08 2165

mine surveyorESCO 2165.4.2
Mine surveyors prepare and maintain mining plans in line with statutory and management requirements. They keep records of the physical progress of mining operations and of ore or mineral production.
cadastral technicianESCO 2165.1
Cadastral technicians design and create maps and blue-prints, converting new measurement results into the real estate cadastre of a community. They define and indicate the property boundaries and ownerships, land use, and create city and district maps using measurement equipment and specialised software.
hydrographic surveyorESCO 2165.4.1
Hydrographic surveyors measure and map, by means of specialised equipment, marine environments. They collect scientific data in order to study the underwater topography and morphology of bodies of water.
geographic information systems specialistESCO 2165.3
Geographic information systems specialists use specialised computer systems, engineering measures, and geological concepts to process land, geographic, and geospatial information into visually detailed digital maps and geomodels of a reservoir. They convert technical information like soil density and properties into digital representations of it for the usage of engineers, governments, and stakeholders interested.
cartographerESCO 2165.2
Cartographers create maps by combining various scientific informations depending of the purpose of the map (e.g. topographic, urban, or political maps). They combine the interpretation of mathematical notes and measurements with the aesthetics and visual depiction of the site for developing the maps. They may also work on developing and improving geographic information systems and may perform scientific research within cartography.
land surveyorESCO 2165.4
Land surveyors determine, by means of specialised equipment, the distances and positions of points at the surface of sites for construction purposes. They use measurements of the specific aspects of construction sites, such as electricity, distance measurements, and metal structure volumes to create architectural drawings and develop construction projects.

ESCO occupations that ESCO classifies under the ISCO-08 unit groups linked above; they are not matched to this occupation one by one.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
F1107	Géomètre	This occupation is narrower
M1808	Cartographe	Related, not a match

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
2454	Ingenieros geógrafos y cartógrafos	This occupation is narrowerprovisional
2483	Ingenieros técnicos en topografía	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
31214	Berufe in der Vermessungstechnik - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten	This occupation is narrower

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
093	測量技術者	This occupation is narrowerprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources