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Geodetic Surveyors in Iowa

Geodetic Surveyors in Iowa

Considering working as a Geodetic Surveyors in Iowa? Below are the key facts. Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth’s surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.

What do Geodetic Surveyors Make in Iowa?

For geodetic surveyors working in Iowa, wages run about $76,720 per year (or roughly $36.89/hour).Pay can range from $62,980 at the 10th percentile to $104,740 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $62,980 $30.28
25th percentile $66,360 $31.91
Median (50th) $76,720 $36.89
75th percentile $93,020 $44.72
90th percentile $104,740 $50.36
Salary ranges for Geodetic Surveyors in Iowa

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Iowa nationwide is 0.83, suggesting fewer geodetic surveyors per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, geodetic surveyors earn a median of $125,113 per year ($60.15/hour), below the Iowa median.

Geodetic Surveyors earnings in Iowa vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 72,418 geodetic surveyors across the United States. In Iowa alone, around 450 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 660 geodetic surveyors.

Geodetic Surveyors in Iowa vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Geodetic Surveyors

Top Iowa Metros for Geodetic Surveyors

These are the Iowa metros with the most geodetic surveyors in Iowa.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA 170 $76,920
Cedar Rapids, IA 50 $74,870
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL 40 $97,160

Top States for Geodetic Surveyors Employment

The table below shows the states where the most geodetic surveyors work.

State Number Employed
Texas 7,530
Florida 4,310
California 3,750
Minnesota 1,850
Massachusetts 1,800
Georgia 1,720
North Carolina 1,660
Colorado 1,580
New York 1,570
Illinois 1,450
Arizona 1,440
Michigan 1,410
Virginia 1,410
Pennsylvania 1,360
Louisiana 1,360
Ohio 1,160
Maryland 1,150
Missouri 1,150
Indiana 1,000
New Jersey 950

Highest-Paying States for Geodetic Surveyors

The highest-paying states for geodetic surveyors.

State Annual Median Salary
California $103,790
New Jersey $93,260
Washington $88,340
Oregon $87,730
South Dakota $86,260
Alaska $85,520
Delaware $85,350
Massachusetts $84,260
Nevada $82,990
Indiana $81,010

Skills

Top geodetic surveyors skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Mathematics  4.1 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.9 / 5
0
5
Complex Problem Solving  3.8 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  3.6 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Mathematics  4.8 / 5
0
5
Engineering and Technology  4.0 / 5
0
5
Geography  3.8 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  3.8 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.7 / 5
0
5
Physics  3.5 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for geodetic surveyors, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Mathematical Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Flexibility of Closure  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Information Ordering  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Geodetic Surveyors typically:

  • Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.
  • Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.
  • Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.
  • Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
  • Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.
  • Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth's surface.
  • Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.
  • Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects.
  • Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.
  • Request additional survey data when field collection errors occur or engineering surveying specifications are not maintained.
  • 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.
  • Provide training and interpretation in the use of methods or procedures for observing and checking controls for geodetic and plane coordinates.

Work Activities

  • Working with Computers
  • Processing Information
  • Getting Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Autodesk AutoCAD, Bentley MicroStation

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Engineering-Related Technologies
  • Surveying Engineering

Careers similar to geodetic surveyors include:

Also Known As

Aerial Photograph Interpreter, Aerotriangulation Specialist, Field Surveyor, Geodesist, Geodetic Advisor, Geodetic Computator, Geodetic Coordinator, Geodetic Engineer, Geodetic Information Specialist, Geodetic Survey Director, Geodetic Surveyor, Geodetic Surveyor Technologist, Geodetic Technician, Geographic Information System Surveyor (GIS Surveyor), Geomatics Technician.

References

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