# 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. 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cartographers-and-photogrammetrists
- SOC code: 17-1021.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $81,390 (10th percentile $53,740, 90th percentile $126,950)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +7.4%
- Openings a year: 900
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CIR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 60 |
| Investigative (I) | 70 |
| Artistic (A) | 43 |
| Social (S) | 13 |
| Enterprising (E) | 11 |
| Conventional (C) | 72 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 97/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 92/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 81/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 81/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 80/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 80/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 79/100)
- Processing Information (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 78/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 77/100)

## 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

## Also called

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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Geography and Cartography](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4507) (CIP 4507, 539 colleges)
- [Security Science and Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4304) (CIP 4304, 513 colleges)
- [Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1511) (CIP 1511, 121 colleges)
- [Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2902) (CIP 2902, 85 colleges)
- Surveying Engineering (CIP 1438, 25 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Champlain College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/champlain-college-508) | Security Science and Technology | $68,425 | $101,401 | $28,520 |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-prescott-909) | Security Science and Technology | $58,252 | $98,996 | $20,500 |
| [Florida State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/florida-state-university-main-campus-985) | Security Science and Technology | $60,178 | $93,841 | $15,125 |
| [Robert Morris University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/robert-morris-university-2246) | Security Science and Technology | $64,104 | $90,206 | $26,000 |
| [Mercyhurst University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/mercyhurst-university-1646) | Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | $52,770 | $86,597 | $25,000 |
| [Norwich University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/norwich-university-1970) | Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | $77,627 | $85,184 | not reported |
| [Maryville University of Saint Louis](https://www.collegesref.com/college/maryville-university-of-saint-louis-1610) | Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | $63,584 | $84,342 | $23,911 |
| [University of Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-florida-2910) | Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | $66,474 | $78,933 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Surveying and Mapping Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surveying-and-mapping-technicians): $54,240 median pay
- [Geodetic Surveyors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geodetic-surveyors): $75,440 median pay
- [Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians): $116,580 median pay
- [Remote Sensing Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/remote-sensing-technicians): $62,280 median pay
- [Surveyors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surveyors): $75,440 median pay
- [Geographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographers): $102,040 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.