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Instrument operator vs surveyor rod helper

The differences between instrument operators and surveyor rod helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a surveyor rod helper has an average salary of $76,239, which is higher than the $43,179 average annual salary of an instrument operator.

The top three skills for an instrument operator include GPS, survey equipment and data collection. The most important skills for a surveyor rod helper are GPS, , and .

Instrument operator vs surveyor rod helper overview

Instrument OperatorSurveyor Rod Helper
Yearly salary$43,179$76,239
Hourly rate$20.76$36.65
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs29,50315,328
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 57%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Instrument operator vs surveyor rod helper salary

Instrument operators and surveyor rod helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Instrument OperatorSurveyor Rod Helper
Average salary$43,179$76,239
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $62,000Between $45,000 And $128,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between instrument operator and surveyor rod helper education

There are a few differences between an instrument operator and a surveyor rod helper in terms of educational background:

Instrument OperatorSurveyor Rod Helper
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Instrument operator vs surveyor rod helper demographics

Here are the differences between instrument operators' and surveyor rod helpers' demographics:

Instrument OperatorSurveyor Rod Helper
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 93.0% Female, 7.0%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 74.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 2.9% White, 78.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between instrument operator and surveyor rod helper duties and responsibilities

Instrument operator example responsibilities.

  • Train in Carlson, TDS, and EFB.
  • Experience with static, RTK, and DGPS using Trimble R8 or Leica systems.
  • Experience with TDS and Carlson survey programs.
  • Measure distance between survey points using a steel tape or using an EDM.
  • Perform physical layouts using GPS, total station, and robotic units on large and small scale civil projects.
  • Used robotics and Nikon total stations.
  • Show more

Surveyor rod helper example responsibilities.

  • Research utility services via GIS computer system and reference library and mark relevant utilities in specify construction areas.
  • Develop new data from photogrammetric records.

Instrument operator vs surveyor rod helper skills

Common instrument operator skills
  • GPS, 19%
  • Survey Equipment, 12%
  • Data Collection, 9%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Robotic, 4%
  • Construction Surveys, 4%
Common surveyor rod helper skills
  • GPS, 100%

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