Also called: Draught Surveyor, Displacement Surveyor
Reads the draft marks painted on a ship’s hull and calculates exactly how many tons of cargo were loaded.
Before and after a grain or coal ship loads, the draft surveyor climbs down a pilot ladder to read the numbers on the bow, middle and stern, sometimes from a small boat. Back aboard they measure ballast tanks and fuel, then run stability math to figure the cargo weight. Buyers and sellers both rely on their number.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Often a maritime academy or engineering graduate; trained by a survey firm.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Transportation, Marine Engineering, Mathematics.
Growing about average. Steady with bulk exports of grain, coal and ore.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Laser draft readers and software may cut some surveys, but disputes still need an independent human on the ship.
Classes: Algebra, Physics, Geometry.
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.