Surveyors
SOC Code: 17-1022
Surveyors carries a 58% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $72,740 and +4.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 56,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 58% AI exposure, Surveyors sits 21 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 93% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Surveyors sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Surveyors has ai exposure of 58%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Surveyors vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Surveyors is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Surveyors (SOC 17-1022) carries an AI exposure score of 58%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 56,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.4% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $72,740, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Surveyors. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
- 2. Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
- 3. Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
- 4. Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.
- 5. Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
- 6. Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
- 7. Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.
- 8. Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.
- 9. Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
- 10. Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
Key Skills Required
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Writing
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Physics
- Education and Training
- Design
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Surveyors?
Surveyors has an AI exposure score of 58%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Surveyors?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Surveyors is projected to grow by 4.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 56,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Surveyors?
Key skills for Surveyors include Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Surveyors earn?
The median annual wage for Surveyors is $72,740, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Surveyors?
The typical entry-level education for Surveyors is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Internship/residency. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Surveyors?
Surveyors roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).