Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 17-1022.01
Geodetic Surveyors
Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.
- US jobs
- 50,830 (SOC 17-1022 group, "Surveyors")
- Median wage
- $75,440 a year
- Job family
- Architecture and engineering
Can agents do the work of geodetic surveyors?
We read the evidence at the level of the job family, Architecture and engineering:
- Task levelUnexploredNo task-level benchmark in our collection tests architecture or engineering design work, such as CAD modeling or engineering calculations.
- Project levelNot yetWhole projects are mostly out of reach. The Remote Labor Index includes 3D, CAD, and architecture projects; across all its projects, the best agent completed 15.8% to a standard a client would accept. GDPval includes mechanical engineers, and its deliverables score higher, but those tasks are one-shot and fully specified.
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.
- 1846 EloClaude Opus 5.5 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort, Default Fallback) · 23 Sep 2026Unrated
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.
- Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.
- Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.
- Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
- Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.
- 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.
- Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.
- Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects.
- Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.
- Request additional survey data when field collection errors occur or engineering surveying specifications are not maintained.
- 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.
- Provide training and interpretation in the use of methods or procedures for observing and checking controls for geodetic and plane coordinates.
Other job titles for this occupation (29)
Geodesist · Geodetic Advisor · Geodetic Engineer · Geodetic Survey Director · Geodetic Surveyor · Land Surveyor · Licensed Land Surveyor · Aerial Photograph Interpreter · Aerotriangulation Specialist · Field Surveyor · Geodetic Computator · Geodetic Coordinator · Geodetic Information Specialist · Geodetic Surveyor Technologist · Geodetic Technician · Geographic Information System Surveyor (GIS Surveyor) · Geomatics Technician · Geophysical Prospecting Surveyor · Geospatial Analyst · Land Measurer · LIDAR Technician (Light Detection and Ranging Technician) · Measurement Advisor · Measurement and Sensing Technician · Orthophotography Technician · Remote Sensing Advisor · Remote Sensing Surveyor · Survey Technologist · Surveyor Technician · Topographical Surveyor