Surveying Technicians

How AI is changing surveying technicians work

1 of 19 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 5%. 10 newer tasks are not in the data yet and left out.

This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.

Tasks in this job and recorded AI use

• Check all layers of maps to make sure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections (main task) — some recorded AI use
• Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Enter Global Positioning System data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Conduct surveys to find out the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Identify and compile database information to create requested maps (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to make sure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data (main task) — no recorded AI use
• 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 (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures or adjustments, azimuths, level runs, or placement of markers (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys (main task) — no recorded AI use
• 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 (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects — too new for the AI data

Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).

Your first steps (guidance)

1. Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
2. Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Check all layers of maps to make sure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections”. Try the prompt for: “Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables”.

Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.

Questions about AI and surveying technicians

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