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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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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.

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

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

  • Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

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

  • Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects.

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

Technologies & Software

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

Alternative Job Titles