Three sources provide highly precise trend estimates for Greater Yellowlegs, but each has limitations which reduce reliability. The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is highly standardized, but has only medium coverage overall, as there is limited sampling in the northern parts of the range. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is less standardized, and only samples the northern end of the wintering range, which likely accounts for only a low proportion of the population. Migration monitoring by the Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring (PRISM) also has an intermediate level of standardization, and may only sample a low proportion of the population, as Greater Yellowlegs concentrates less at key stopover sites than most other shorebirds. Overall, the BBS appears to have the greatest reliability for Greater Yellowlegs, and it indicates a large increase of over 150% since 1970. This is similar to the trend of +146% indicated by the CBC, but that may be at least somewhat influenced by a northward shift of the wintering distribution into the area covered by the CBC. In contrast, PRISM migration data indicate a moderate decrease of 43% since 1980. Taking into account the contrasting results and lack of highly reliable sources, the large increase indicated by the BBS is used as the basis for Greater Yellowlegs status, but confidence in the assessment is only low.

The goal for Greater Yellowlegs is to remain at or above its recent population level, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Trend data show that Greater Yellowlegs is currently within its goal range.