For Educators: Military Resources
Military Surveying, Mapping, and Drafting Technicians
Median Salary
77,519
Workforce Count
18,516
Overview
What are the responsibilities of this role?
Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians help determine, describe, and record geographic areas or features. They conduct land surveys, take measurements, make maps, and prepare detailed plans and drawings for construction projects. They are sometimes called upon to provide maps and surveys that locate military targets and help plot troop movements. These technicians play key roles in the collection and analysis of geospatial information.
What is the work environment like?
Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians work both indoors and outdoors in all climates and weather conditions. Those assigned to engineering units sometimes work outdoors with survey teams. Those assigned to intelligence units may work on ships as well as on land.
How many people have this role in the Military?
18,516
Compensation
Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary
Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.
- Always fixed based on rank and service time.
- Distributed monthly.
What is the typical salary range?
Salary by Years of Service
$113,916
2 Years
$80,177
6 Years
$113,916
10+ Years
Median Salary
Military Details
What Service Branches offer this role?
Is this a staff or leadership role?
Enlisted service members execute vital tasks, support operations alongside officers and develop role-specific skills to achieve mission success.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer PathsWhat does the training for this role entail?
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians in the Military will gain skills through classroom study, simulated combat conditions, and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training may include:
- Surveying and drafting techniques
- Geospatial interpretation
- Architectural and structural drawing
- Methods of computing target locations
- Artillery tactics and field combat strategy
- Ammunition-handling techniques
- Gun, missile and rocket system operations
- Aerial photo interpretation
Education
Which college majors best prepare you for this role?
- Geography
- Geographic Information Science and Cartography
- Surveying Technology/Surveying
Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree
The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
Learn More About Paying For CollegeSkills and Interest
What knowledge is essential to bring to the table?
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
What personality traits help people thrive in this role?
Realistic
You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.
Conventional
You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.
Investigative
You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.
RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.
Take the RIASEC Test