Surveying and Mapping Technicians build complex problem solving, time management and judgment and decision making skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Geodetic Surveyors (89%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geodetic Surveyors | 89% | $75,440Pay for the broader BLS group “Surveyors” | Not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Surveyors | 87% | $75,440 | +39% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 84% | $81,390 | +50% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Remote Sensing Technicians | 82% | $62,280Pay for the broader BLS group “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other” | Not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 82% | $116,580Pay for the broader BLS group “Computer Occupations, All Other” | Not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | 82% | $53,350 | −2% | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Traffic Technicians | 81% | $59,090 | +9% | None |
| 8 | Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | 76% | $122,570Pay for the broader BLS group “Physical Scientists, All Other” | Not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Forest and Conservation Technicians | 73% | $54,560 | +1% | None |
| 10 | Construction and Building Inspectors | 73% | $74,690 | +38% | None |
Compared with Surveying and Mapping Technicians, median $54,240. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as surveying and mapping technicians (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
89% skill match · $75,440 (broader BLS group)
Judgment and Decision Making · Complex Problem Solving · Instructing
87% skill match · $75,440 · +39% pay
Coordination · Instructing · Judgment and Decision Making
84% skill match · $81,390 · +50% pay
Instructing · Service Orientation · Social Perceptiveness
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Geodetic Surveyors (89% skill match, median $75,440), Surveyors (87% skill match, median $75,440) and Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (84% skill match, median $81,390), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 12 pay more than surveying and mapping technicians at the median. The biggest increases: Air Traffic Controllers (+173%, $148,080), Power Distributors and Dispatchers (+97%, $106,730) and Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers (+96%, $106,220).
12 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.