Takeover Tracker
30%medium risk
Surveying Technicians
vs

69 shared · 14 different

core competencies

40%medium risk
Traffic Technicians

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSurveying TechniciansTraffic Technicians
Risk Score30.3%40.2%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile40th81th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)7 / 1510 / 15
Median Salary$51,940$58,480
Employment57K8K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Geography
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Transportation
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Design
Building and Construction
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Public Safety and Security
Near Vision
Mechanical
Performing General Physical Activities

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Surveying Technicians

29%

total discount

Traffic Technicians

30%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Surveying Technicians

7 of 15 at risk
87%Prepare topographic and contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.
87%Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.
87%Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.
85%Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, and other relevant information.
85%Record survey measurements and descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, and inked tracings.

Traffic Technicians

10 of 15 at risk
88%Compute time settings for traffic signals or speed restrictions, using standard formulas.
88%Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input.
85%Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
80%Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment.
78%Review traffic control or barricade plans to issue permits for parades or other special events or for construction work that affects rights of way, providing assistance with plan preparation or revision, as necessary.

Wage Comparison

Traffic Technicians earns +$6,540(+13%) vs Surveying Technicians
Surveying TechniciansTraffic Technicians
10th
$36,910$38,060
25th
$44,180$46,690
Median
$51,940$58,480
75th
$65,240$74,480
90th
$80,870$85,810

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Surveying Technicians2028–2035
Traffic Technicians2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Surveying Technicians has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Traffic Technicians.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Surveying Technicians

$36,202

from $51,940

Traffic Technicians

$34,965

from $58,480

After adjusting for AI risk, Surveying Technicians offers $1,237 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Surveying

0

Unique to Traffic

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation
Creativity
Social Intelligence
Regulatory Barriers
Surveying TechniciansTraffic Technicians
Find transitions from Surveying TechniciansFind transitions from Traffic Technicians