Career profile · 17-1022
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.
What the work can involve
- 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.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This O*NET group commonly calls for substantial preparation, often including a bachelor’s degree or considerable relevant experience. An introductory vocational course alone may not provide an entry route.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Contact with others most of the time | 37.0%08/2022 · sample 27 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Once a year or more but not every month | 48.0%08/2022 · sample 25 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 92.0%08/2022 · sample 25 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 64.0%08/2022 · sample 25 |
| Spend Time Sitting | About half the time | 51.9%08/2022 · sample 27 |
| Spend Time Standing | About half the time | 44.0%08/2022 · sample 25 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | More than half the time | 38.5%08/2022 · sample 26 |
| Time Pressure | Once a month or more but not every week | 34.6%08/2022 · sample 26 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Once a year or more but not every month | 29.2%08/2022 · sample 24 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 50.0%08/2022 · sample 26 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Analytical or scientific software: CMT CogoCAD, Carlson Simplicity Sight Survey, Geocomp Systems GeoCalc, National Geodetic Survey NGS Geodetic Toolkit
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk CAiCE Visual Transportation, Bentley MicroStation, Carlson Civil Suite
- Data base user interface and query software: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Microsoft Access, Structured query language SQL
- Electronic mail software: Email software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software
- Geographic information system: ESRI ArcGIS software, ESRI ArcView, Geographic information system GIS software
- Internet browser software: Web browser software
- Map creation software: Advanced Graphics Technology ProCogo, Geo-Plus, SiteComp Survey, Traverse PC
- Object or component oriented development software: C#, C++, Oracle Java
- Object oriented data base management software: Object oriented programming software
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software
- Operating system software: Linux, Microsoft Windows
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for geodetic surveyors
This O*NET specialty shares the BLS 17-1022 occupation series. Pay is measured for Surveyors, not separately for this specialty.
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- Typical on-the-job training
- Internship/residency
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 50 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $66,840 | $32.13 | 910 |
| Alaska | $99,550 | $47.86 | 250 |
| Arizona | $77,490 | $37.26 | 1,360 |
| Arkansas | $51,800 | $24.91 | 550 |
| California | $105,330 | $50.64 | 4,520 |
| Colorado | $79,310 | $38.13 | 1,620 |
| Connecticut | $76,730 | $36.89 | 430 |
| Delaware | $82,890 | $39.85 | 120 |
| Florida | $65,480 | $31.48 | 4,000 |
| Georgia | $58,100 | $27.94 | 1,770 |
| Hawaii | $82,200 | $39.52 | 140 |
| Idaho | $73,940 | $35.55 | 250 |
| Illinois | $75,980 | $36.53 | 1,710 |
| Indiana | $80,510 | $38.71 | 870 |
| Iowa | $77,090 | $37.06 | 450 |
| Kansas | $75,860 | $36.47 | 350 |
| Kentucky | $71,840 | $34.54 | 670 |
| Louisiana | $63,140 | $30.36 | 1,460 |
| Maine | $83,200 | $40.00 | 270 |
| Maryland | $64,910 | $31.21 | 950 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 | $45.48 | 1,290 |
| Michigan | $72,080 | $34.65 | 1,050 |
| Minnesota | $83,620 | $40.20 | 980 |
| Mississippi | $58,720 | $28.23 | 570 |
| Missouri | $62,110 | $29.86 | 830 |
| Montana | $84,610 | $40.68 | 350 |
| Nebraska | $68,050 | $32.71 | 430 |
| Nevada | $82,460 | $39.64 | 490 |
| New Hampshire | $65,130 | $31.31 | 280 |
| New Jersey | $77,160 | $37.10 | 900 |
| New Mexico | $74,230 | $35.69 | 290 |
| New York | $78,870 | $37.92 | 1,470 |
| North Carolina | $76,210 | $36.64 | 1,530 |
| North Dakota | $79,360 | $38.15 | 250 |
| Ohio | $70,620 | $33.95 | 1,300 |
| Oklahoma | $61,300 | $29.47 | 960 |
| Oregon | $97,070 | $46.67 | 530 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,950 | $36.51 | 1,610 |
| Rhode Island | $62,670 | $30.13 | 150 |
| South Carolina | $63,300 | $30.43 | 1,000 |
| South Dakota | $77,190 | $37.11 | 180 |
| Tennessee | $76,340 | $36.70 | 920 |
| Texas | $61,150 | $29.40 | 6,410 |
| Utah | $73,230 | $35.21 | 650 |
| Vermont | $76,450 | $36.75 | Not published |
| Virginia | $71,070 | $34.17 | 1,360 |
| Washington | $85,610 | $41.16 | 780 |
| West Virginia | $61,520 | $29.58 | 630 |
| Wisconsin | $79,650 | $38.30 | 610 |
| Wyoming | $81,250 | $39.06 | 240 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 300 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
Related occupations to compare
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists→
- Drafters, All Other→
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians→
- Surveyors→
Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 17-1022.01.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.