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Surveyors

(D.O.T.  018 except .167-022, and 024.061-014)

Nature of the Work

This statement covers three groups of workers who measure and map
the earth's surface.  Land surveyors establish official land, air
space, and water boundaries.  They write descriptions of land for
deeds, leases, and other legal documents; define air space for
airports; and measure construction and mineral sites.  They are
assisted by survey technicians, who operate surveying instruments
and collect information.  Mapping scientists and other surveyors
collect geographic information and prepare maps and charts of large
areas.

   Land surveyors manage one or more survey parties that measure
distances, directions, and angles between points and elevations of
points, lines, and contours on the earth's surface.  They plan the
fieldwork, select known survey reference points, and determine the
precise location of all important features of the survey area.  They
research legal records and look for evidence of previous boundaries.
They record the results of the survey, verify the accuracy of data,
and prepare plats, maps, and reports.  Surveyors who establish
official boundaries must be licensed by the State in which they
work.

   The information needed by the land surveyor is gathered by a survey
party.  A typical survey party is made up of a party chief and
several survey technicians and helpers.  The party chief, who may be
either a land surveyor or a senior survey technician, leads the
day-to-day work activities.  The party chief is assisted by survey
technicians, who adjust and operate surveying instruments such as
the theodolite (used to measure horizontal and vertical angles) and
electronic distance-measuring equipment.  Survey technicians or
helpers position and hold the vertical rods or targets that the
theodolite operator sights on to measure angles, distances, or
elevations.  They may also hold measuring tapes and chains if
electronic distance-measuring equipment is not used.  Survey
technicians also compile notes, make sketches, and enter the data
obtained from these instruments into computers.  Some survey parties
include laborers or helpers to clear brush from sight lines, drive
stakes, carry equipment, and perform other less skilled duties.

   New technology is changing the nature of the work of surveyors and
survey technicians.  For larger surveying projects, surveyors are
increasingly using the Global Positioning System (GPS), a satellite
system which precisely locates points on the earth using radio
signals transmitted by satellites.  To use it, a surveyor places a
satellite receiver about the size of a backpack on a desired point.
The receiver collects information from several differently
positioned satellites at once to locate its precise position.  Two
receivers are generally operated simultaneously, one at a known
point and the other at the unknown point.  The receiver can also be
placed in a vehicle to trace out road systems, or for other uses.
As the cost of the receivers falls, much more surveying work will be
done by GPS.

   Mapping scientists, like land surveyors, measure, map, and chart the
earth's surface but generally cover much larger areas.  Unlike land
surveyors, however, mapping scientists work mainly in offices and
may seldom or never visit the sites they are mapping.  Mapping
scientists include workers in several occupations.  Cartographers
prepare maps using information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial
photographs, and satellite data.

   Photogrammetrists prepare maps and drawings by measuring and
interpreting aerial photographs, using analytical processes and
mathematical formulas.  Photogrammetrists make detailed maps of
areas that are inaccessible or difficult to survey by other methods.

   Map editors develop and verify map contents from aerial photographs
and other reference sources.

   Some surveyors perform specialized functions which are closer to
mapping science than traditional surveying.

   Geodetic surveyors use high-accuracy techniques, including satellite
observations, to measure large areas of the earth's surface.
Geophysical prospecting surveyors mark sites for subsurface
exploration, usually petroleum related.  Marine surveyors survey
harbors, rivers, and other bodies of water to determine shorelines,
topography of the bottom, water depth, and other features.

   The work of mapping scientists is also changing due to new
technologies.  The technologies include the GPS, Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) which are computerized data banks of
spatial data new earth resources data satellites, and improved
aerial photography.  From the older specialties of photogrammetrist
or cartographer, a new type of mapping scientist is emerging.  The
geographic information specialist combines the functions of mapping
science and surveying into a broader field concerned with the
collection and analysis of geographic spatial information.

   Land surveyors measure distances and elevations along the earth's
surface.

Working Conditions

Surveyors usually work an 8-hour day, 5 days a week, and spend a lot
of their time outdoors.  Sometimes they work longer hours during the
summer, when weather and light conditions are most suitable for
fieldwork.

   Land surveyors and technicians do active and sometimes strenuous
work.  They often stand for long periods, walk long distances, and
climb hills with heavy packs of instruments and equipment.  They
also are exposed to all types of weather.  Occasionally, they may
commute long distances, stay overnight, or even temporarily relocate
near a survey site.

   Surveyors also spend considerable time in offices, planning surveys,
analyzing data, and preparing reports and maps.  Most computations
and map drafting are done at a computer.  Mapping scientists spend
almost all their time in offices.

Employment

Surveyors held about 99,000 jobs in 1992.  Engineering,
architectural, and surveying firms employed nearly three-fifths of
all surveyors.  Federal, State, and local government agencies
employed an additional one-fourth.  Major Federal Government
employers are the U.S.  Geological Survey, the Bureau of Land
Management, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Forest Service, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Defense
Mapping Agency.  Most surveyors in State and local government work
for highway departments and urban planning and redevelopment
agencies.  Construction firms, mining and oil and gas extraction
companies, and public utilities also employ surveyors.  About 10,000
surveyors were self-employed.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Most persons prepare to be a licensed surveyor by combining
postsecondary school courses in surveying with extensive on-the-job
training.  About 25 universities offer 4-year programs leading to a
BS degree in surveying.  Junior and community colleges, technical
institutes, and vocational schools offer 1-, 2-, and 3-year programs
in both surveying and surveying technology.

   High school students interested in surveying should take courses in
algebra, geometry, trigonometry, drafting, mechanical drawing, and
computer science.

   All 50 States license land surveyors.  For licensure, most State
licensing boards require that individuals pass two written
examinations, one prepared by the State and one given by the
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.  In
addition, they must meet varying standards of formal education and
work experience in the field.  In the past, many surveyors started
as members of survey crews and worked their way up to licensed
surveyor with little formal training in surveying.  However, due to
advancing technology and an increase in licensing standards, more
formal education is now required.  Most States at the present time
require some formal post-high school education courses and 5 to 12
years of surveying experience to gain licensure.  However,
requirements vary among the States.  Generally, the quickest route
is a combination of 4 years of college, 2 to 4 years of experience
(a few States do not require any), and passing the licensing
examinations.  An increasing number of States require a bachelor's
degree in surveying or in a closely related field such as civil
engineering or forestry with courses in surveying.

   High school graduates with no formal training in surveying usually
start as a helper.  Beginners with postsecondary school training in
surveying can generally start as technicians.  With on-the-job
experience and formal training in surveying either in an
institutional program or from a correspondence school workers may
advance to senior survey technician, then to party chief, and
finally, in some cases, to licensed surveyor (depending on State
licensing requirements).

   The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping has a voluntary
certification program for survey technicians.  Technicians are
certified at four levels that require progressive amounts of
experience; technicians who qualify are certified at a higher level
after passing a written examination.  Although not required for
State licensure, many employers require certification for promotion
to more responsible positions.

   Cartographers and photogrammetrists usually have a bachelor's degree
in engineering or a physical science, although it is possible to
enter these jobs through experience as a photogrammetric or
cartographic technician.  Most cartographic and photogrammetry
technicians have had some specialized postsecondary school training.
With the development of Geographic Information Systems,
cartographers, photogrammetrists, and other mapping scientists now
need more education and experience in the use of computers than in
the past.

   The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing has
voluntary certification programs for photogrammetrists and mapping
scientists.  To qualify for these professional distinctions,
individuals must meet work experience standards and pass an oral or
written examination.

   Surveyors should have the ability to visualize objects, distances,
sizes, and other abstract forms and to work precisely and accurately
because mistakes can be very costly.  Surveying is a cooperative
process, so good interpersonal skills and the ability to work as
part of a team are important.  Leadership qualities are important
for party chief and other supervisory positions.

   Members of a survey party must be in good physical condition to work
outdoors and carry equipment over difficult terrain.  They also need
good eyesight, coordination, and hearing to communicate by hand or
voice signals.

Job Outlook

Employment of surveyors is expected to grow more slowly than the
average for all occupations through the year 2005.  In addition to
openings arising from growth in demand for surveyors, many will
result from the need to replace those who transfer to other
occupations or leave the labor force.

   Growth in construction through the year 2005 should create jobs for
surveyors who lay out streets, shopping centers, housing
developments, factories, office buildings, and recreation areas.
Road and highway construction and improvement also should create new
surveying positions.  However, employment may fluctuate from year to
year along with construction activity.

   Some growth in employment of mapping scientists and other surveyors
may occur in private firms; little or no growth is expected in the
Federal Government.

   As a result of trends towards more complex technology, upgraded
licensing requirements, and the increased demand for geographic
spatial data (as opposed to traditional surveying services),
opportunities will be best for surveyors and mapping scientists who
have at least a bachelor's degree.  New technology such as GPS and
GIS may increase productivity for larger projects and may enhance
employment opportunities for surveyors and survey technicians who
have the educational background to use it, but limit opportunities
for those with less education.

Earnings

In 1992, the median annual earnings for surveyors were about
$26,800.  The middle 50 percent earned between about $22,600 and
$37,000 a year.

   The median annual earnings for survey technicians were about $23,700
a year in 1992.  The middle 50 percent earned between $17,900 and
$31,700 a year; 10 percent earned less than $14,500 a year; 10
percent earned more than $38,500 a year.

   In 1993, The Federal Government hired high school graduates with
little or no training or experience at salaries or about $13,400
annually for entry level jobs on survey crews.  Those with 1 year of
related postsecondary training earned about $14,600 a year.  Those
with an associate degree that included courses in surveying
generally started as instrument assistants with an annual salary of
about $16,400.  In 1993, persons starting as land surveyors or
cartographers with the Federal Government earned about $18,300 or
$22,700 a year, depending on their qualifications.  The average
annual salary for Federal land surveyors in 1993 was about $41,000,
for cartographers, about $44,000, and for geodesists, about $47,600.
The average annual salary for Federal surveying technicians was
about $24,000, for cartographic technicians, about $30,100, and for
geodetic technicians, about $37,300.

Related Occupations

Surveying is related to the work of civil engineers and architects,
since an accurate survey is the first step in a construction
project.  Mapping science and geodetic surveying are related to the
work of geologists and geophysicists, who study the earth's internal
composition, surface, and atmosphere.  Mapping science is also
related to the work of geographers and urban planners, who study how
the earth's surface is used.

Sources of Additional Information

   Information about career opportunities, licensure requirements, and
the survey technician certification program is available from:

   American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, 5410 Grosvenor Lane,
Bethesda, MD 20814-2122.

   General information on careers in photogrammetry is available from:

   American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 5410
Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814.

   Computer, Mathematical, and Operations Research Occupations