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Automation Risk Analysis

Will “Topographical Drafter” be Automated?

Historical Context: Oxford Study (2013)

Ranked #635 of 702. Estimated risk: 96.0%

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AI Exposure Risk

54%

“Topographical Drafter” will maybe be replaced by AI.

Based on the cognitive demands, communication requirements, and logical reasoning intrinsic to this occupation according to O*NET data, we project a 54% probability of disruption by generative AI and Large Language Models.

Automation & Robot Risk

43%

“Topographical Drafter” will probably not be replaced by robots.

Evaluating the physical dexterity, repetitive motion tasks, and manual labor associated with this role, our analysis indicates a 43% likelihood of substitution by advanced robotics systems.

Personal & Financial Insights

Every occupation has a unique profile. For Surveying and Mapping Technicians, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET classify the day-to-day work broadly as: Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

Avg. Annual Salary $56,890
Avg. Hourly Wage $27.35
Available Jobs (US) 56,720
Job Title & Hierarchy Code (SOC) Surveying and Mapping Technicians #17-3031
Wage vs. National Median
ℹ️

Data is based on the reference occupation: “Surveying and Mapping Technicians”

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Core Skills & Abilities

  • Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.

  • Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.

  • Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.

  • Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.

  • Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.

  • Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.

  • Complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels.

  • Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures or adjustments, azimuths, level runs, or placement of markers.

  • Prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.

  • Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points.

  • Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes.

  • Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors.

  • Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.

  • Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.

  • Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.

  • Answer questions and provide information to the public or to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, or similar matters.

  • Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.

  • Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs.

  • Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.

  • Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.

  • Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.

  • Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments.

  • Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.

  • Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.

  • Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects.

  • Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.

  • Record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings.

  • Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.

  • Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.

  • Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.

Technologies & Software

  • Software libraries
  • Autodesk 3d Studio Viz
  • Muncy Plat Pronto
  • Hexagon Intergraph
  • MENSI 3Dipsos
  • CARIS HIPS
  • Traverse PC
  • Desktop digital photogrammetry system DDPS
  • Structured query language SQL
  • TELEDYNE CARIS
  • ESRI ArcIMS
  • ChatGPT (OpenAI)
  • Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
  • SiteComp Survey
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Foresoft CDS Model
  • Claude (Anthropic)
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Llama (Meta)
  • Microsoft Excel
  • TRS Software TomCADD
  • DeepSeek
  • Microsoft Access
  • Adobe Acrobat Writer
  • Gemini (Google)
  • IMAGINE OrthoBASE
  • Nova (Amazon)
  • Bentley Systems InRoads Suite
  • MicroSurveyCAD
  • Digital elevation model DEM software
  • Trimble Geomatics Office
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Mistral (Mistral AI)
  • Mapping software
  • Qwen (Alibaba)
  • Trimble GPS Pathfinder Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • GitHub Copilot
  • ESRI ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Kimi (Moonshot AI)
  • Datalog with guidance DLWG software
  • ESRI MapObjects
  • Bentley GeoPak Bridge
  • 3D Nature LLC Visual Nature Studio
  • Hexagon Geospatial Imagine Photogrammetry
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
  • Trimble Terramodel
  • Tripod Data Systems Foresight
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Autodesk CAiCE Visual Transportation
  • Coordinate geometry COGO software
  • Trimble Total Control
  • Carlson Survey
  • ESRI ArcInfo
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
  • Triton Elics International Isis
  • Modeling software
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Word processing software
  • Adobe FreeHand MX
  • Autodesk AI
  • ESRI Personal Geodatabase
  • Graphics software
  • ANSYS AI Simulation
  • AutoCAD AI
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • ESRI ArcSDE
  • Tripod Data Systems COGO
  • 3D Nature LLC World Construction Set
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Blue Sky
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite
  • Grok (xAI)
  • ESRI ArcCatalog
  • Autodesk Land Desktop
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • PCI Geomatics eCognition
  • Project management software
  • PCI Geomatics software
  • Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
  • QuickCogo
  • MicroSurvey Star*Net
  • CARIS SIPS
  • Carlson SurvCADD
  • MicroSurvey OfficeSync
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D
  • Foresoft CDS Cogo
  • ESRI ArcView 3D Analyst
  • ESRI ArcEditor
  • Perplexity AI
  • ESRI Maplex
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • MapInfo
  • Database software
  • Low-level driver LLD software
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
  • Microsoft Word
  • ESRI ArcGIS (analytical or scientific feature)
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Gemini Code Assist
  • MicroSurvey FieldGenius
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • Tripod Data Systems software
  • Email software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • ESRI ArcGIS ArcPy
  • Trimble TerraSync
  • Trimble Digital Fieldbook
  • Python
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • RockWare ArcMap
  • ESRI ArcToolbox
  • QuarkXPress
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Prism poles
  • Measuring tapes
  • Extensometers
  • Distance meters
  • Tribrach optical plummet adjusting cylinders
  • Echosounders
  • Optical pendulum levels
  • Hand levels
  • Theodolites
  • Digital cameras
  • Robotic survey measuring instruments
  • Total stations
  • Leveling bubbles
  • Community base station global positioning systems GPS
  • Laser scanner coordinate capturing equipment
  • Measuring rods
  • 3D laser scanning systems
  • Two way radios
  • Axes
  • Hatchets
  • Geological compasses
  • Prisms
  • Scanners
  • Tripods
  • Desktop computers
  • Wheeled measuring devices
  • Levels
  • Plane tables
  • Global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Drafting templates
  • Electrotapes
  • Plotters
  • Geodetic leveling rods
  • Telescoping pole saws
  • Handheld data collectors
  • Tablet computers
  • Pocket personal computers PC
  • Transit levels
  • Ground vibration sensing equipment
  • Tribrach level bubble adjusting blocks
  • Side scan sonars
  • Automatic optical pendulum leveling systems
  • Alidades
  • Measuring chains
  • Tellurometers
  • Electronic digital/bar-code leveling systems
  • Fathometer sonar equipment
  • Plumb bobs
  • Clinometers
  • Triangles
  • Chain saws
  • Programmable calculators
  • Personal computers
  • Multibeam sonar equipment
  • Pre-programmed coordinate geometry COGO calculators
  • Barometers
  • Machetes
  • Templates
  • Jackhammers
  • Magnetic field pipe locators
  • Drafting compasses
  • Digitizers
  • Engineering scales
  • Electronic distance measuring devices
  • Metal detectors
  • Laser printers
  • Portable hydrographic surveying equipment
  • Laser distance measuring equipment
  • Sight targets
  • Real-time kinematics RTK global positioning systems GPS
  • Drafting kits
  • Vertical/target rods
  • Mallets
  • Ranger data collectors
  • Survey instrument control units
  • Protractors
  • Four wheel drive 4WD vehicles
  • Notebook computers
  • T-squares

Alternative Job Titles