Cartographers and Photogrammetrists: salary, outlook & degrees
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.
Middle half $65,670–$101,960. 14,260 jobs.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Census ACS 2020-2024 microdata, workers with at least a high school diploma; EducationGuide calculation
About 900 openings a year, including replacements.
BLS Employment Projections 2025-35
Considerable preparation (usually a bachelor's).
BLS; O*NET 31.0 job zone
Education workers say the job requires
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers (“required level of education”); small samples, so treat shares as approximate.
Pay by state and metro
| State | Median wage |
|---|---|
| California | $102,780 |
| Minnesota | $99,850 |
| Washington | $96,100 |
| Nevada | $93,560 |
| Massachusetts | $92,230 |
| New York | $89,290 |
| Alaska | $89,170 |
| New Jersey | $88,480 |
| Oregon | $88,240 |
| Colorado | $86,960 |
| Virginia | $86,660 |
| Oklahoma | $86,410 |
| Iowa | $84,570 |
| Maryland | $84,360 |
| Connecticut | $84,100 |
| Arizona | $82,260 |
| Nebraska | $81,500 |
| North Carolina | $81,080 |
| Florida | $79,650 |
| New Mexico | $79,200 |
| Maine | $78,670 |
| Missouri | $76,950 |
| Wisconsin | $76,760 |
| Utah | $75,220 |
| Michigan | $75,090 |
| Indiana | $74,800 |
| Texas | $73,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,180 |
| Tennessee | $72,990 |
| Idaho | $72,930 |
| South Dakota | $72,910 |
| South Carolina | $72,260 |
| Montana | $72,220 |
| New Hampshire | $72,130 |
| Kentucky | $71,470 |
| North Dakota | $71,070 |
| Ohio | $70,990 |
| Wyoming | $70,590 |
| Georgia | $62,630 |
| Louisiana | $59,990 |
| Illinois | $54,680 |
Largest metro areas for this job
- Denver-Aurora-Centennial CO$86,080
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV$86,660
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands TX$96,390
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington TX$72,400
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA$100,080
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro OR-WA$93,430
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont CA$125,330
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA$101,480
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell GA$65,190
- Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler AZ$88,820
- Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom CA$130,820
- Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos TX$76,080
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: median annual wage, all workers in the job. Metro areas: the largest by employment.
What the work takes
Top skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
Knowledge used
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Design
- Mathematics
Work styles
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
People in this job tend to have Conventional (organizing), Investigative (analytical), Realistic (hands-on) interests.
O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0): skills and knowledge by importance; work styles; interest high points.
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists: questions
How much do cartographers and Photogrammetrists make?
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists earn a U.S. median $81,390 a year; the middle half earn $65,670 to $101,960 (BLS, May 2025).
Is cartographers and Photogrammetrists a growing field?
BLS projects growth of 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 900 openings a year, including replacements.
What degree do you need to be a cartographers and Photogrammetrist?
BLS lists the typical entry education as bachelor's degree. In O*NET's survey, 43% of workers say a bachelor's or higher is required.
How much do cartographers and Photogrammetrists make in Florida?
The median in Florida is $79,650 a year (BLS, May 2025), compared with $81,390 nationally.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35); O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); U.S. Census Bureau ACS microdata. SOC 17-1021. Method
Data: JSON · Markdown · all careers
Cite this: “Cartographers and Photogrammetrists: salary, outlook and degrees,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/careers/cartographers-and-photogrammetrists.