Geodetic Surveyors
Architecture and Engineering
Calculates the exact horizontal and vertical position of points across large stretches of land, using satellite observations, GNSS, LIDAR, leveling, and related methods. Field surveys capture positions, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, and contours; the numbers are then checked against project specifications and land-survey standards. Control networks are computed through triangulation, trilateration, or traversing, and the results go into databases that store coordinates and quality information. Extra survey data is ordered when the existing control is not good enough for engineering or construction. Suits people who like heavy use of math, careful quality checks, and directing technical survey work at a wide geographic scale.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$75'440
Median Wage Market Position
$75'440
What you might do
- Measure large areas with satellites and LIDAR
- Calculate exact positions of points on Earth
- Check new data against project and land standards
- Compute coordinates for networks of control points
- Store positions and quality data in databases
- Guide crews and decide if more data is needed
Skills that matter
- Computing positions from GNSS and leveling
- Checking new survey math for errors
- Judging whether control data is sound
- Planning extra surveys for a project
- Advising staff on geodetic methods
- Documenting coordinates and quality checks
AI & the future of this role
Much of the work sits in satellite, GNSS, and LIDAR processing, where models may take over routine geodetic computation and quality checks. Oversight of control networks and survey integrity still matters, but desk-heavy tasks look more exposed.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details