Side-by-Side Comparison
Surveyors leads 5–0| Metric | Surveyors | Traffic Technicians |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 32.7% | 40.2% |
| Risk Tier | Medium Risk | Medium Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 55th | 81th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 8 / 15 | 10 / 15 |
| Median Salary | $72,740 | $58,480 |
| Employment | 53K | 8K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Coaching and Developing Others
Geography
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
Training and Teaching Others
Scheduling Work and Activities
Transportation
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Developing and Building Teams
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Surveyors
32%
total discount
Traffic Technicians
30%
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.
Traffic Technicians
10 of 15 at risk88%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 -$14,260(-20%) vs Surveyors
SurveyorsTraffic Technicians
10th
$43,680$38,060
25th
$53,590$46,690
Median
$72,740$58,480
75th
$94,550$74,480
90th
$116,330$85,810
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Surveyors2028–2035
Traffic Technicians2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Surveyors 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%)
Surveyors
$48,976
from $72,740
Traffic Technicians
$34,965
from $58,480
After adjusting for AI risk, Surveyors offers $14,011 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Surveyors
0
Unique to Traffic
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Fine Manipulation
Decision Complexity
Regulatory Barriers
Social Intelligence
SurveyorsTraffic Technicians