Surveying and Mapping Technicians
The short answer
This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 1,267 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about half of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 90% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Surveyors
Very similar work+38% pay239 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 38% more—$81,080 vs your $58,968 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus internship/residency.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- English Language
New skills to build
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Number Facility
- Education and Training
- Science
- Engineering and Technology
Civil Engineers
Similar work+81% pay1,146 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 81% more—$106,668 vs your $58,968 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
New skills to build
- Design
- Building and Construction
- Science
- Physics
- Operations Analysis
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Similar work+51% pay73 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 51% more—$88,826 vs your $58,968 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- English Language
New skills to build
- Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Mathematical Reasoning
Physical Scientists, All Other
Somewhat similar work+105% pay144 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 105% more—$121,115 vs your $58,968 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- English Language
New skills to build
- Science
- Deductive Reasoning
- Physics
- Biology
- Inductive Reasoning
Traffic Technicians
Somewhat similar work+24% pay147 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 24% more—$73,240 vs your $58,968 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Written Comprehension
New skills to build
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Science
- Operations Analysis