Surveying and Mapping Technicians
Architecture and Engineering Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 17-3031.00
Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
High· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-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
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, 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
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.28
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-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
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 only30 rated tasks · 27 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (90.0%)
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
Tasks of O*NET-SOC 2010 occupation 17-3031.02 Mapping Technicians, linked to this occupation by the O*NET-SOC 2010 to 2019 crosswalk
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Identify and compile database information to create maps in response to requests.17-3031.02 | 0.0067100.0 |
| Not observed on any surface — 24 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. | |
Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections. | —0 |
Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters. | —0 |
Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, the inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations. | —0 |
Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales. | —0 |
Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes. | —0 |
Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification. | —0 |
Research resources such as survey maps or legal descriptions to verify property lines or to obtain information needed for mapping. | —0 |
Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps or drawings. | —0 |
Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data. | —0 |
Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments. | —0 |
Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables. | —0 |
Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points. | —0 |
Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data. | —0 |
Lay out and match aerial photographs in sequences in which they were taken and identify any areas missing from photographs. | —0 |
Compute and measure scaled distances between reference points to establish relative positions of adjoining prints and enable the creation of photographic mosaics. | —0 |
Form three-dimensional images of aerial photographs taken from different locations, using mathematical techniques and plotting instruments. | —0 |
Redraw or correct maps, such as revising parcel maps, to reflect tax code area changes, using information from official records or surveys. | —0 |
Train staff members in duties such as tax mapping, the use of computerized mapping equipment, or the interpretation of source documents. | —0 |
Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs. | —0 |
Create survey description pages or historical records related to the mapping activities or specifications of section plats. | —0 |
Identify, research, and resolve anomalies in legal land descriptions, referring issues to title or survey experts as appropriate. | —0 |
Answer questions and provide information to the public or to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, or similar matters. | —0 |
Produce presentations of surface or mineral ownership layers by interpreting legal survey plans. | —0 |
Complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels. | —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 |
|---|---|
Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.O*NET Task ID 22115 | 1.0 |
Complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels.O*NET Task ID 22121 | 1.0 |
Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures or adjustments, azimuths, level runs, or placement of markers.O*NET Task ID 22126 | 1.0 |
Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.O*NET Task ID 22104 | 0.5 |
Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.O*NET Task ID 22105 | 0.5 |
Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.O*NET Task ID 22106 | 0.5 |
Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.O*NET Task ID 22107 | 0.5 |
Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.O*NET Task ID 22108 | 0.5 |
Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.O*NET Task ID 22109 | 0.5 |
Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.O*NET Task ID 22110 | 0.5 |
Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.O*NET Task ID 22111 | 0.5 |
Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.O*NET Task ID 22112 | 0.5 |
Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.O*NET Task ID 22113 | 0.5 |
Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.O*NET Task ID 22114 | 0.5 |
Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.O*NET Task ID 22116 | 0.5 |
Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes.O*NET Task ID 22117 | 0.5 |
Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.O*NET Task ID 22118 | 0.5 |
Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.O*NET Task ID 22119 | 0.5 |
Answer questions and provide information to the public or to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, or similar matters.O*NET Task ID 22120 | 0.5 |
Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.O*NET Task ID 22123 | 0.5 |
Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments.O*NET Task ID 22124 | 0.5 |
Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.O*NET Task ID 22125 | 0.5 |
Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects.O*NET Task ID 22127 | 0.5 |
Prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.O*NET Task ID 22128 | 0.5 |
Record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings.O*NET Task ID 22129 | 0.5 |
Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points.O*NET Task ID 22130 | 0.5 |
Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs.O*NET Task ID 22132 | 0.5 |
Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.O*NET Task ID 22103 | 0.0 |
Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors.O*NET Task ID 22122 | 0.0 |
Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.O*NET Task ID 22131 | 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 (30)
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 |
|---|---|
| Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations. | Core |
| Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections. | Core |
| Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data. | Core |
| Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations. | Core |
| Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales. | Core |
| Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters. | Core |
| Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans. | Core |
| Identify and compile database information to create requested maps. | Core |
| Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports. | Core |
| Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data. | Core |
| Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data. | Core |
| Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments. | Core |
| Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables. | Core |
| Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification. | Core |
| Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes. | Core |
| Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys. | Core |
| Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points. | Core |
| Answer questions and provide information to the public or to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, or similar matters. | Core |
| Complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels. | Core |
| Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors. | Core |
| Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information. | Core |
| Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments. | Core |
| Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings. | Core |
| Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures or adjustments, azimuths, level runs, or placement of markers. | Core |
| Prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes. | Core |
| Record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings. | Core |
| Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points. | Core |
| Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation. | Core |
| Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs. | Core |
| Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects. | Supplemental |
0.56/ 3· Robot exposure index
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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations. | E2 structured facilities |
| Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments. | E2 structured facilities |
| Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points. | E0 none |
| Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation. | E0 none |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 59K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 62K
- Change (2025–35)
- +5.8%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $54,240
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
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 3112Civil Engineering Technicians
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Civil engineering technicians perform technical tasks in civil engineering research and in the design, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of buildings and other structures such as water supply and wastewater treatment systems, bridges, roads, dams and airports.
Tasks
- (a) performing or assisting with field and laboratory tests of soils and construction materials;
- (b) providing technical assistance connected with the construction of buildings and other structures, and with surveys or the preparation of survey reports;
- (c) ensuring compliance with design specifications, relevant legislation and regulations, and maintenance of desired standards of materials and work;
- (d) applying technical knowledge of building and civil engineering principles and practices in order to identify and solve problems arising;
- (e) assisting with the preparation of detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for projects, according to the specifications given;
- (f) organizing maintenance and repairs;
- (g) inspecting buildings and structures during and after construction to ensure that they comply with building, grading, zoning and safety laws and approved plans, specifications and standards, as well as with other rules concerning quality and safety of buildings; (h) inspecting industrial plant, hotels, cinemas and other buildings and structures to detect fire hazards and advise on how they can be removed; (i) advising on the installation of fire detectors and sprinkler systems and the use of materials in the construction of buildings, and means of transportation to reduce risk of fire and extent of damage and danger if fire occurs.
Example occupations
Building inspector · Building surveyor · Civil engineering technician · Clerk of Works · Fire inspector · Fire prevention specialist · Geotechnical technician · Surveying technician
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- surveying technicianESCO 3112.9Same scope
Surveying technicians carry out technical surveying tasks. They assist surveyors, architects or engineers in surveying related technical tasks such as mapping land, creating construction drawings and operating precise measuring equipment
- hydrographic surveying technicianESCO 3111.5This occupation is broader
Hydrographic surveying technicians perform oceanographic and surveying operations in marine environments. They assist hydrographic surveyors, using specialised equipment to map and study underwater topography and morphology of bodies of water. They assist in the installation and deployment of hydrographic and surveying equipment and report about their work.
- mine surveying technicianESCO 3117.5This occupation is broader
Mine surveying technicians conduct boundary and topographic surveys and surveys of the progress of mining operations. They operate surveying equipment and utilise programs to retrieve and interpret relevant data, and perform computations as required.
- soil surveying technicianESCO 3111.14This occupation is broader
Soil surveying technicians analyse soil by carrying out technical surveying tasks, using soil surveying techniques. They focus on the process of classifying soil types and other soil properties. Soil surveying technicians operate surveying equipment and utilise programs to retrieve and interpret relevant data, and perform computations as required.
- cadastral technicianESCO 2165.1Overlapping, not the same
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.
- cartographerESCO 2165.2Overlapping, not the same
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.
- geographic information systems specialistESCO 2165.3Overlapping, not the same
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.
- hydrographic surveyorESCO 2165.4.1Overlapping, not the same
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.
- land surveyorESCO 2165.4Overlapping, not the same
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.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| F1109 | Assistant / Assistante géomètre | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| F1131 | Géomètre du cadastre | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| F1107 | Géomètre | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
| M1808 | Cartographe | Related, not a matchprovisional |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3122 | Técnicos en construcción | This occupation is narrower |
| 3110 | Delineantes y dibujantes técnicos | Related, not a match |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 31212 | Berufe in der Vermessungstechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Same scopeprovisional |
| 31222 | Berufe in der Kartografie - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
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 narrower |
| 669 | その他の建設従事者 | Related, not a match |
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