🤖 BARBIE MODE ACTIVATED 💗    Your adblocker was detected!    Comic Sans has been applied as cosmic punishment 💅    Ads keep this database FREE — please whitelist replacedbyrobot.info!    ✨ Everything is pink and that's entirely your fault ✨    🌸                     🤖 BARBIE MODE ACTIVATED 💗    Your adblocker was detected!    Comic Sans has been applied as cosmic punishment 💅    Ads keep this database FREE — please whitelist replacedbyrobot.info!    ✨ Everything is pink and that's entirely your fault ✨    🌸                     
Automation Risk Analysis

Will “Topographical Drafter” be Automated?

Historical Context: Oxford Study (2013)

Ranked #635 of 702. Estimated risk: 96.0%

Advertisement

A robot took your ad!

Ads keep this free database of 57,000+ jobs alive. Please whitelist replacedbyrobot.info — we promise our ads are tasteful!

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”

Advertisement

A robot took your ad!

Ads keep this free database of 57,000+ jobs alive. Please whitelist replacedbyrobot.info — we promise our ads are tasteful!

Core Skills & Abilities

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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.

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

  • Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects.

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

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

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

  • 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.

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

  • 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.

  • Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.

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

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

  • 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.

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

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

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

  • 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.

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

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

  • 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.

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

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

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

Technologies & Software

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

Alternative Job Titles