Cadastral technician
Also known as: cadastral surveyor, cadastral land surveyor, cadastral mapping technician, land agent
About this occupation
Cadastral technicians design and create maps and blue-prints, converting new measurement results into the real estate cadastre of a community. They define and indicate the property boundaries and ownerships, land use, and create city and district maps using measurement equipment and specialised software.
Essential skills and knowledge
- document survey operations
- operate surveying instruments
- surveying methods
- conduct land surveys
- perform surveying calculations
- create cadastral maps
- record survey measurements
- use geographic information systems
- cartography
- process collected survey data
- compare survey computations
- geographic information systems
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians (O*NET 15-1299.02). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
- Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
- Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
- Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
- Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps, scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital data.
- Interpret aerial or ortho photographs.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Investigative, Realistic
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking
US median pay: US$116,580 a year (2025), 435,370 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyVery important (4.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.2)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.5)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.3)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.3)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
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Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
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- Remote Sensing Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.