Architecture & Engineering
Geodetic Surveyors
Also called: Geodesist, Geodetic Advisor, Geodetic Engineer, Geodetic Survey Director
US median pay
$75,440
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.8%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
3,100
52,000 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
- Systems Analysis3.1/5
- Instructing3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.9/5
Knowledge
- Mathematics4.8/5
- Engineering and Technology4.0/5
- Geography3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Physics3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree81%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.