What They Do
Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information to create and update maps and related products.
Duties
Cartographers and photogrammetrists typically do the following:
- Collect and analyze data from surveys, satellite images, and other sources
- Create visualizations of data, such as annual precipitation patterns and elevation
- Develop maps that integrate Geographic Information System (GIS) data for geospatial context
- Prepare static or interactive maps in print, digital, or graphic format
- Update and revise existing maps and charts
Cartographers and photogrammetrists are mapmakers. They use information from a variety of sources to create visualizations of the world on a small scale.
Cartographers and photogrammetrists gather and analyze spatial measurements, images, and data about the Earth’s topography to build maps. They integrate information from sources such as land surveys and light-imaging detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology using GIS, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and other software.
Cartographers and photogrammetrists may tailor mapping information to support a variety of decisions, such as those related to land use, the environment, or marketing. For example, they might create maps for an urban planning project that show population density, elevations, buildings, and roads.
In addition to designing static maps on paper, cartographers and photogrammetrists prepare interactive maps for digital applications that include websites, cell phones, and navigation systems. They also may create enhanced products for specific users, such as tactile maps for people who are visually impaired.
Work Environment
Cartographers and photogrammetrists held about 13,400 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of cartographers and photogrammetrists were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 41% |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 18 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 7 |
| Federal government | 4 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 4 |
Although cartographers and photogrammetrists spend much of their time in an office setting, some jobs require fieldwork to collect data and verify results. For example, cartographers and photogrammetrists may travel to the locations they are mapping to examine the topography and validate survey measurements.
Work Schedules
Most cartographers and photogrammetrists work full time. They may have longer workdays while doing fieldwork.
How to Become One
Cartographers and photogrammetrists typically need a bachelor’s degree in cartography, geography, geomatics, surveying, or a related field.
Pay
The median annual wage for cartographers and photogrammetrists was $78,380 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,000 openings for cartographers and photogrammetrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.