Geodetic Surveyors
Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.
Also called: Geodesist · Geodetic Advisor · Geodetic Engineer · Geodetic Survey Director · Geodetic Surveyor · Land Surveyor
Median pay (national)
$72,740
$43,680–$116,330 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
53,080
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.4%
~3,900 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for geodetic surveyors shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $116,330 versus $43,680 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $72,740 leaves roughly 60% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.4% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 3,900 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $103,790, +43% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $40,780 — a 155% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Science
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.
- Request additional survey data when field collection errors occur or engineering surveying specifications are not maintained.
Tools & technology
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Bentley MicroStation
- C#
- C++
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Linux
- Microsoft Windows
- Oracle Java
- SAP software
- Structured query language SQL
- Advanced Graphics Technology ProCogo
- Autodesk CAiCE Visual Transportation
- Carlson Civil Suite
- Carlson Simplicity Sight Survey
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Physics
- Education and Training
- Design