Architects, Surveyors, and Cartographers

How to become a Geodetic Surveyor

Official title: Geodetic Surveyors

Also called: Geodesist, Geodetic Advisor, Geodetic Engineer, Geodetic Survey Director, Geodetic Surveyor, Land Surveyor, Licensed Land Surveyor

Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.

Main tasks

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.
Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.
Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects.

How to become one

Surveyors typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. They must be licensed before they can certify legal documents and provide surveying services to the public.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Architecture & Built Environment degrees, Offered by 15 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $75,440 a year The middle half earn $58,170 to $98,130.
About 52,000 people work in this job now, and about 55,000 are projected by 2035. (+5.8%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Geodetic Surveyor?

Surveyors typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. They must be licensed before they can certify legal documents and provide surveying services to the public.

How much does a Geodetic Surveyor earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $75,440 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $58,170 to $98,130.

Is a Geodetic Surveyor a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 52,000 to about 55,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Geodetic Surveyor?

Usually. 84% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Geodetic Surveyor?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

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 the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.