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Engineering & Architecture · Updated Aug 2026

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.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
72/100
High

How much of this occupation’s work can be materially affected by current AI systems.

Replacement Risk
58/100
Moderate

How likely exposure is to translate into reduced human demand.

Includes provisional estimates for AI adoption pressure and labour-market resilience. How this is measured

Evidence quality
Confidence83/100
Task coverage86%

Confidence reflects task coverage, mapping and capability-evidence quality, and how much of the score rests on provisional inputs.

Task-level evidence

What is driving the score?

Occupation scores are built from the task mix—not a single prediction about a job title.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
TaskImportanceAI impactExposure
Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.High
74
Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.High
73
Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.High
75
Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.High
74
Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.High
73
Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.High
66
Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.High
75
Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects.High
71
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.High
72
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in technology, equipment, or systems.Medium
71
Provide training and interpretation in the use of methods or procedures for observing and checking controls for geodetic and plane coordinates.Medium
71
Review existing standards, controls, or equipment used, recommending changes or upgrades as needed.Medium
74
Determine orientation of tracts of land, including position, boundaries, size, and shape, using theodolites, electronic distance-measuring equipment, satellite-based positioning equipment, land information systems, or other geodetic survey equipment.Medium
70
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

Routine, digitized, and highly repeatable tasks face the greatest pressure.

  1. Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.75
  2. Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.75
  3. Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.74
  4. Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.74
Hardest to automate

Where people still matter

These tasks score lowest on automation feasibility—physical presence, judgement, accountability and real-world variability all resist end-to-end automation.

  1. Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.01
  2. Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.02
  3. Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.03
  4. Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.04
  5. Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.05
Where else this work leads

Related occupations

Occupations O*NET links to this one. Relatedness reflects shared work, not a claim that these roles are safer.

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Beyond AI capability

Adoption and labour-market outlook

Structural factors are kept separate from raw capability so you can see what actually resists automation. Adoption pressure and labour-market resilience are still provisional models—25% of this occupation’s replacement-risk weight rests on them.

Human dependency66
Physical dependency53
Adoption pressure71
Labour-market resilience57
Methodology & sources

O*NET 30.3 occupational data interpreted through the JobsVsAI capability, automation and structural-constraint models.

Confidence83/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →