Surveyors
Official O*NET title: Surveyors (17-1022.00)
Also called: city surveyor, county surveyor, land surveyor, licensed land surveyor, mine surveyor
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing surveyors work
2 of 19 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 11%. 2 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
- Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Verify the accuracy of survey data (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Record the results of surveys (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural staff, clients, and others concerned with projects (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Testify as an expert witness in court cases on land survey issues (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Develop criteria for survey methods and procedures (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Survey bodies of water to determine navigable channels and to secure data for construction of breakwaters, piers, and other marine structures (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Direct aerial surveys of specified geographical areas (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Conduct research in surveying and mapping methods, using knowledge of photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Develop criteria for the design and modification of survey instruments — some recorded AI use
- Locate and mark sites selected for geophysical prospecting activities — too new for the AI data
- Determine specifications for equipment to be used for aerial photography, as well as altitudes from which to photograph terrain — 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)
- 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.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation”. Try the prompt for: “Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys”.
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 surveyors
Will AI replace surveyors?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 2 of the 21 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 17 of the 24 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which surveyor tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: develop criteria for the design and modification of survey instruments; analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation; prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
Which surveyor tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles; prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed; write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 52% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a surveyor start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Surveyors ranks #443 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #34 of 37 in Engineering.
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