What they do
Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.
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Also called: |
Geodesist, Geodetic Advisor, Geodetic Engineer, Geodetic Survey Director, Geodetic Surveyor, Land Surveyor, Licensed Land Surveyor
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Wages
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Surveyors* |
Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 23.75 |
$49,400 |
25% |
$ 26.28 |
$54,650 |
Median |
$ 31.02 |
$64,530 |
75% |
$ 35.23 |
$73,270 |
90% |
$ 39.86 |
$82,910 |
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Average |
$ 32.02 |
$66,610 |
* You're seeing information for "Surveyors" because it includes "Geodetic Surveyors" for which wage information is not available. |
1 What are Percentile Wages? |
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Industries of Employment
Surveyors* |
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 73% |
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
| 6% |
| 5% |
- Heavy and civil engineering construction
| 5% |
- State government, excluding education and hospitals
| 3% |
* You're seeing information for "Surveyors" because it includes "Geodetic Surveyors" for which industries of employment information is not available. |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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- Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
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- Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
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- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.
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- Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.
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- Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.
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- Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
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- Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Surveyors* |
Vermont |
2020 employment |
84 |
2030 employment |
85 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.1% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
7 |
* You're seeing information for "Surveyors" because it includes "Geodetic Surveyors" for which projected employment information is not available. |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
Surveyors* |
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Internship/residency
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* You're seeing information for "Surveyors" because it includes "Geodetic Surveyors" for which education and experience information is not available. |
Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Important
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- Level of activity is Moderate
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Low | | High |
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Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
Considerable Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(7.0 to < 8.0) - A typical worker will require
over 2 years up to and including 4 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 7% |
Bachelor's degree | | 81% |
Associate's degree | | 4% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 4% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 4% |
Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Flexibility of Closure
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
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- Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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- Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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- Mathematical Reasoning
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
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- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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- Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
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- Calculate geographic positions from survey data.
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- Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features.
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- Maintain operational records or records systems.
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- Verify mathematical calculations.
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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