Architecture and Engineering · Holland code CIR

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.

Also called: Cartographer, Photogrammetric Technician, Photogrammetrist, Stereo Compiler, Aerial Photogrammetrist, Cartographic Designer, Digital Cartographer, Mapper.

O*NET 17-1021.00

At a glance

US median annual pay: $81,390; Middle half earn $65,670 to $101,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Most common education: Post-Secondary Certificate; 36% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
Preparation needed: Job Zone 4 of 5; Considerable preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
US employment outlook, 2024 to 2034: +6% · Faster than average; 13,400 jobs in 2024, projected 14,300. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which groups this with similar roles as "Cartographers and photogrammetrists".

What the work involves

The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.

Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.
Study legal records to establish boundaries of local, national, and international properties.
Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.
Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.
Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.
Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.

Skills and knowledge it leans on

Skills

Reading Comprehension4.0 / 5
Writing3.5 / 5
Critical Thinking3.5 / 5
Active Listening3.4 / 5
Active Learning3.3 / 5
Speaking3.1 / 5

Knowledge areas

Geography4.5 / 5
Computers and Electronics4.2 / 5
English Language3.5 / 5
Design3.4 / 5
Mathematics3.3 / 5
Customer and Personal Service2.9 / 5

Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.

Who tends to enjoy it

How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.

Realistic60
Investigative70
Artistic43
Social13
Enterprising11
Conventional72

The same work abroad

Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.

European occupation titles (ESCO)

cadastral technician · DE Katasteringenieur/Katasteringenieurin · FR géomètre du cadastre
cartographer · DE Kartograf/Kartografin · FR cartographe
geographic information systems specialist · DE Experte Geoinformationssysteme/Expertin Geoinformationssysteme · FR cartographe géomaticien/cartographe géomaticienne
land surveyor · DE Vermessungsingenieur/Vermessungsingenieurin · FR géomètre-topographe
hydrographic surveyor · DE Hydrograf/Hydrografin · FR hydrographe
geographer · DE Geograf/Geografin · FR géographe

Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)

Chartered surveyors (2454)67,300 employed
Building and civil engineering technicians (3114)20,100 employed
Laboratory technicians (3111)51,100 employed

Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.

Pay across Europe, for the whole group

Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.

Median annual earnings, Professionals, by country
Country	Median pay
Belgium	€61,714
Germany	€59,529
Ireland	€56,877
Austria	€55,374
Netherlands	€53,595
Sweden	€43,567
France	€41,515
Spain	€35,735
Italy	€33,649
Portugal	€26,072
Poland	€14,380

Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.

Exposure to AI

This occupation sits in the higher third of the 774 occupations scored, with an exposure score of +0.82. The scores are standardized across those occupations, so 0 is the average and a score of 1 is about one standard deviation above it.

Our note on reading it: the dataset links AI applications to the abilities that occupations require, so the score reflects overlap between the two. It is a comparison between occupations, not a forecast about jobs. It does not say whether exposure means tasks are replaced or workers get more done with the tools, and it says little about one employer or one role.

Source: Felten, E., Raj, M., & Seamans, R. (2021). Occupational, industry, and geographic exposure to artificial intelligence: A novel dataset and its potential uses. Strategic Management Journal, 42(12), 2195-2217. Matched to this page by 6-digit SOC code (17-1021).

Is it a fit for you?

Interest is one input, alongside ability, pay and what is hiring near you. The career interests test takes about thirteen minutes and ranks occupations by how closely their profile matches yours.

Take the career interests test