Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
SOC: 17-1021 O*NET: 17-1021.00
Median Salary
$78,380
per year
Job Growth
📈 6.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.
What does a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$50,500
10th percentile
Early Career
$62,860
25th percentile
Median
$78,380
50th percentile
Experienced
$99,650
75th percentile
Top Earners
$121,440
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$50,500
25th
$62,860
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$78,380
Mean: $82,860
75th
$99,650
90th
$121,440
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $70,940 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $62,860 and $99,650
- •Salary spread is 46.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 12,790 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:13,400
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33.9%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33.9%
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services18.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+6.4%
Annual Openings:1,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)13,400
Current
2034 (Projected)14,300
+6.4%
+900
Employment Change
+6.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Cartographers and Photogrammetrists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 44 locations
Texas
1,550 jobs$71,9701.35x
Colorado
1,380 jobs$78,0305.77x
California
1,070 jobs$106,6100.71x
Virginia
750 jobs$77,9302.23x
Washington
670 jobs$93,0302.28x
Oregon
600 jobs$82,8103.65x
North Carolina
600 jobs$76,6801.48x
Georgia
590 jobs$55,1501.47x
Maryland
550 jobs$82,7602.42x
Florida
500 jobs$70,1200.62x
Arizona
360 jobs$74,9701.37x
Ohio
320 jobs$80,2900.71x
Kansas
260 jobs$50,5002.21x
Nevada
220 jobs$91,5501.73x
Missouri
220 jobs$77,3800.92x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Active Learning
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Learning
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Sustainability Specialists100%
5 shared skills
Environmental Engineers100%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Speaking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Learning
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechC
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Bentley MicroStation
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Structured query language SQL
Adobe InDesign
C
Microsoft Visual Basic
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (1)General Responsibilities (7)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Management & Supervision (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1
Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Determine map content and layout, as well as production specifications such as scale, size, projection, and colors, and direct production to ensure that specifications are followed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Examine and analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics, and related charts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Select aerial photographic and remote sensing techniques and plotting equipment needed to meet required standards of accuracy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Build and update digital databases.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists professionals typically have a CIR Holland code and highly value achievement
CConventional
IInvestigative
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.63
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.15
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.94
Innovation
ImportantInnovation
Importance Level3.85
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.82
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.78
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.2
Cooperation
3.9
Innovation
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Initiative
3.8
Persistence
3.8
Integrity
3.7
Achievement/Effort
3.6
Analytical Thinking
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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