The Strong Interest Inventory® Assessment has been used since the early 20th century to help individuals find careers that they will find satisfying and engaging. After taking the assessment, individuals are given their ranking of six Theme Code Categories, each of which contains a number of associated careers options. According to this assessment, Surveyors are considered to be a part of the Realistic careers’ category. Surveying involves using a set procedure to accomplish a specific set of tasks at the end of each workday. People with a proclivity for Realistic careers generally enjoy using their hands to solve concrete problems, though they often get bored or impatient with abstract concepts or impractical assignments.

Surveyors are responsible for taking exact measurements to determine property boundaries, by calculating heights, depths, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain. Then, they must verify the accuracy of the data and calculations, and use them to prepare maps, sketches and reports. These reports and maps are used to draft legal deeds and titles dividing land, and to determine ownership in the case of other legal documents.

Surveyors may also use longitudinal and latitudinal measurements and satellite data from global positioning systems to calculate the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features. These findings are also used by engineers and architectural personnel before and during projects. Some Surveyors also survey bodies of water to determine navigable channels and gather information to construct piers and other marine structures. Others use aerial surveys to survey geographical areas that are difficult to navigate on land.

Surveyors measure a variety of different geographic characteristics using many different tools, such as barometers for air pressure, altimeters for elevation, measuring tapes and wheels for distance. They also use two-way radios for communication, and tripods to stabilize other kinds of instruments. In order to navigate, they may use global positioning systems and receivers, or geological compasses. Just as important as tools is the technical software that is required for a career as a Surveyor. They may use analytical software like MicroSurvey FieldGenius, application server software (e.g., CloudWorks), computer aided design software, data conversion software (e.g., Cyclone), graphics or document management software, map creation software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS, PC-Mapper software, etc.) or project management software (e.g., Crones & Associations project tracker pro). Some Surveyors also use route navigation software (e.g., NOAA Shoreline Data Explorer) or time accounting software (e.g., Sharetech Tabs Plus).

Surveyors require a strong foundation in mathematics, engineering, computers and electronics, as well as geography and building/construction. In addition, a background in law and government or administration is helpful since so many of the scientific findings of Surveyors also have legal or managerial implications. Most Surveyors have a bachelor’s degree, though many only hold a post-secondary certificate or associate’s degree as well. Most of their technical knowledge can be acquired “on-the-job”. However, they do need some inherent skills, including strong communication and problem solving skills, the ability to monitor and assess their own and others’ performance, the ability to learn on the job, and the ability to analyze systems, determine how they should work, and hypothesize how changes in conditions and operations can affect outcomes. In addition, Surveyors need to be able to reason complex problems, and need to have acute vision, depth perception, manual dexterity, and coordination.

Surveyor salary and employment varies widely in different parts of the country. While nationally the employment rate is only expected to grow 4-6%, in fast-growing states with significant development, like Texas, Florida, and even Utah, the employment of Surveyors is expected to increase well over 20% in the next decade. On the other hand, in Maine and Washington, rates are nearly stagnant with just a 3% growth. Surveyor salary also varies greatly, even within the same state. A Surveyor salary can be well under $25,000 annually, for example in Mississippi, while the best paid Surveyors in California can earn in excess of $100,000 per year.

Below are some employment trends for Surveyors:

• Surveyor Salary: $30.49 hourly, $63,420 annual
• Employment: 49,200 employees
• Projected growth (2018-2028): Average (4% to 6%)
• Projected job openings (2018-2028): 4,000

[Information retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections]

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Explore our Strong Interest Inventory® Blog Pages:

• Strong Interest Inventory Realistic Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Artistic Theme Explained
• Strong Interest Inventory Investigative Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Social Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Enterprising Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Conventional Theme Explained 

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References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections Onetonline.org