Uses drones and 3D laser scanners to create exact digital copies of job sites and buildings.
You fly a drone over a highway project to measure how much dirt was moved, then laser-scan a factory so designers can plan new equipment to the millimeter.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. FAA Part 107 drone license, laser scanning training, and some technical coursework.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training, 2-year college. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Surveying Technology, GIS, Construction Management.
Growing much faster than average. Rapidly growing use on job sites.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Scanners and AI auto-process point clouds; flying drones and scanning messy sites stays hands-on, though some field work may automate.
Classes: Geometry, Computer graphics, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-3031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.