Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries. They provide data relevant to the shape and contour of the Earth’s surface for engineering, mapmaking, and construction projects.

Surveying involves both fieldwork and indoor work. When working outside, surveyors may stand for long periods and often walk long distances, sometimes in bad weather. Most work full time.

Surveyors typically need a bachelor’s degree. They must be licensed before they can certify legal documents and provide surveying services to the public.

Employment of surveyors is projected to decline 2 percent from 2014 to 2024. Improvements in surveying technology have increased productivity, reducing demand for surveyors.

This occupation supported 42,400 jobs in 2012 and 44,300 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 4.5%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 10.4% in 2022 to 46,800 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 43,200, compared with an observed value of 44,300, 2.5% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 2.1% in 2024 to 43,400 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 47,600 jobs for 2024, 9.7% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.