SOC 17-1021.00Bright outlook

    Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

    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.

    Median pay
    $81,390
    Growth
    +7.4%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    900
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $53,740
    Median
    $81,390
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $126,950
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    14,260 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Cartographers and photogrammetrists research, study, and prepare maps and spatial data in digital or graphic formats. In 2025, professionals in this field earned a median annual pay of $81,390.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What cartographers and photogrammetrists do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    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.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    These professionals spend their days gathering, analyzing, and processing geographic data from sources such as geodetic surveys, satellite imagery, and aerial photographs. They use computers to design maps, evaluate data structures, and work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The role requires strong skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and complex problem solving to resolve technical mapping issues.

    Day-to-day tasks involve making decisions, documenting information, and ensuring all work complies with established standards. Successful workers typically have a conventional interest area, meaning they enjoy structured tasks and details. They must possess strong knowledge in geography, mathematics, computers, and design. Key work styles for this career include attention to detail, dependability, intellectual curiosity, and cautiousness.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, most workers need a bachelor's degree along with several years of related on-the-job experience. Common college majors that prepare students for this field include geography and cartography, surveying engineering, intelligence, command control and information operations, security science and technology, and engineering-related technologies.

    While preparing for the field, individuals can pursue professional credentials. Available certifications include the Certified Photogrammetric Technologist and the Certified Photogrammetrist (ASPRS), both offered by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Additionally, some states list specific licensing requirements for people performing this work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    According to 2025 data, the median annual pay for cartographers and photogrammetrists is $81,390. Salaries typically range from less than $53,740 for the lowest 10% of earners to more than $126,950 for the highest 10% of earners.

    There are 14,260 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 7.4%, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 900 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    60 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    70 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    43 / 100
    Social (S)
    13 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    11 / 100
    Conventional (C) · strongest
    72 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code CIR. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Getting Information
    97
    Working with Computers
    92
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    81
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    81
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    80
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    80
    Documenting/Recording Information
    79
    Processing Information
    78
    Communicating with People Outside the Organization
    78
    Analyzing Data or Information
    77
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Reading Comprehension
    • Critical Thinking
    • Writing
    • Active Listening
    • Active Learning
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Monitoring
    • Speaking
    • Coordination

    Knowledge

    • Geography
    • Computers and Electronics
    • English Language
    • Design
    • Mathematics
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Education and Training
    • Administration and Management
    • Law and Government

    Abilities

    • Written Comprehension
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Expression
    • Flexibility of Closure
    • Far Vision
    • Information Ordering

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Innovation
    • Perseverance
    • Adaptability
    • Tolerance for Ambiguity

    Also called

    Aerial Photogrammetrist · Cadastral Mapper · Cartographer · Cartographic Designer · Cartographic Drafter · Cartography Technician · Data Mapper · Digital Cartographer · Field Map Editor · Geospatial Specialist

    Career pathway

    From your interests to cartographers and photogrammetrists

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Cartographers and Photogrammetrists$81,390 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Champlain College logo
      Champlain College

      Burlington, VT · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $68,425
      4 yrs after
      $101,401
      Median debt
      $28,520
    2. 2
      Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

      Prescott, AZ · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $58,252
      4 yrs after
      $98,996
      Median debt
      $20,500
    3. 3Florida State University-Main Campus logo
      Florida State University-Main Campus

      Tallahassee, FL · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $60,178
      4 yrs after
      $93,841
      Median debt
      $15,125
    4. 4Robert Morris University logo
      Robert Morris University

      Moon Township, PA · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $64,104
      4 yrs after
      $90,206
      Median debt
      $26,000
    5. 5Mercyhurst University logo
      Mercyhurst University

      Erie, PA · Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $52,770
      4 yrs after
      $86,597
      Median debt
      $25,000
    6. 6Norwich University logo
      Norwich University

      Northfield, VT · Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $77,627
      4 yrs after
      $85,184
      Median debt
      Not reported
    7. 7Maryville University of Saint Louis logo
      Maryville University of Saint Louis

      Saint Louis, MO · Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $63,584
      4 yrs after
      $84,342
      Median debt
      $23,911
    8. 8University of Florida logo
      University of Florida

      Gainesville, FL · Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $66,474
      4 yrs after
      $78,933
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What cartographers and photogrammetrists may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Geographic Information Science and Cartography
    • Geospatial Intelligence
    • Signal/Geospatial Intelligence
    • Surveying Engineering
    • Surveying Technology/Surveying

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    1 state lists a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about cartographers and photogrammetrists

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for this career?

    People in this field are also called aerial photogrammetrists, cadastral mappers, cartographic designers, data mappers, and geospatial specialists.

    What are the primary college majors for someone wanting to enter this field?

    Students typically major in geography and cartography, surveying engineering, security science and technology, or engineering-related technologies.

    Is a license required to work as a cartographer or photogrammetrist?

    Licensing requirements vary by location, as some states list a license for this type of work.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.