Side-by-Side Comparison
Surveying Technicians leads 4–1| Metric | Surveyors | Surveying Technicians |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 32.7% | 30.3% |
| Risk Tier | Medium Risk | Medium Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 55th | 40th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 8 / 15 | 7 / 15 |
| Median Salary | $72,740 | $51,940 |
| Employment | 53K | 57K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Coaching and Developing Others
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
Scheduling Work and Activities
Administration and Management
Processing Information
Customer and Personal Service
Number Facility
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Surveyors
32%
total discount
Surveying Technicians
29%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Surveyors
8 of 15 at risk87%Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
87%Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
86%Prepare or supervise preparation of all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
86%Record the results of surveys including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
85%Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
Surveying Technicians
7 of 15 at risk87%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.
Wage Comparison
Surveying Technicians earns -$20,800(-29%) vs Surveyors
SurveyorsSurveying Technicians
10th
$43,680$36,910
25th
$53,590$44,180
Median
$72,740$51,940
75th
$94,550$65,240
90th
$116,330$80,870
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Surveyors2028–2035
Surveying Technicians2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Surveying Technicians has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Surveyors.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Surveyors
$48,976
from $72,740
Surveying Technicians
$36,202
from $51,940
After adjusting for AI risk, Surveyors offers $12,774 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Surveyors
0
Unique to Surveying
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Decision Complexity
Social Intelligence
Creativity
Regulatory Barriers
SurveyorsSurveying Technicians