Engineering & ArchitectureO*NET: 17-1022.00
Will AI Replace Surveyors?
Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
39out of 100
Low Risk
AI Risk Score
39/100
Risk Level
Low
Job Zone
4/5
Advanced
Total Tasks Analyzed
21
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
- ▸Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
- ▸Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
- ▸Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
- ▸Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
- ▸Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.
- ▸Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (8)
- Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
- Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
- Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
- Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
- Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
- Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.
- Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
- Conduct research in surveying and mapping methods, using knowledge of photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing.
👤Requires Humans (2)
- Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.
- Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.
⚡AI-Assisted (11)
- Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
- Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
- Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments.
- Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS).
- Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.
- Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation.
- Testify as an expert witness in court cases on land survey issues, such as property boundaries.
- Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy.
Key Skills Analysis
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.88/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.50/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Surveyors have a low risk of AI replacement with a score of 39/100. This role requires significant human skills like creativity, empathy, and complex decision-making that AI cannot easily replicate.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research