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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Geodetic Surveyors

Part of Architecture & Construction, in the Design/Pre-Construction pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 17-1022.01

What the work is

Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.

On a typical day

  • Review existing standards, controls, or equipment used, recommending changes or upgrades as needed.
  • Provide training and interpretation in the use of methods or procedures for observing and checking controls for geodetic and plane coordinates.
  • Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.
  • Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in technology, equipment, or systems.
  • Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.

What it pays

$59,140
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $40,970
Experienced workers reach $101,040
  1. $41k10th
  2. $49k25th
  3. $59kMedian
  4. $79k75th
  5. $101k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $40,970, 25th $48,950, Median $59,140, 75th $79,300, 90th $101,040

About 480 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+16.3%

employment change in the Alamo region, 578 to 672 jobs · U.S. +4%

49

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 3,900

578

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 56,100

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree · Training: Internship/residency

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Mathematics4.9
  2. Reading Comprehension4.4
  3. Critical Thinking4.1
  4. Active Listening4.0
  5. Complex Problem Solving3.9
  6. Writing4.1
  7. Judgment and Decision Making3.8
  8. Active Learning4.1

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less4%
  2. Some college4%
  3. Associate degree4%
  4. Bachelor's degree85%
  5. Master's degree4%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northwest Vista
  1. Land Surveying Technician

    Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

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