Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Summary

Cartographers and photogrammetrists measure, map, and chart the Earth’s surface.

Quick Facts: Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
2010 Median Pay	$54,510 per year $26.21 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	13,800
Job Outlook, 2010-20	22% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	3,100

What Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Do

Cartographers and photogrammetrists measure, analyze, and interpret geographic information to create maps and charts for political, cultural, educational, and other purposes. Cartographers are general mapmakers, and photogrammetrists are specialized mapmakers who use aerial photographs to create maps. 

Work Environment

Cartographers and photogrammetrists spend most of their time using computers while working in offices. Cartographers typically do fieldwork to collect and verify data used in creating maps. Photogrammetrists do fieldwork to plan ground control for an aerial survey and to validate interpretations.

How to Become a Cartographer or Photogrammetrist

A bachelor’s degree in cartography, geography, or a related field is the most common path of entry into this occupation. Cartographers and photogrammetrists must be licensed in some states.

Pay

The median annual wage of cartographers and photogrammetrists was $54,510 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists is expected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Increasing use of maps for national security and local government planning will fuel most of the growth.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of cartographers and photogrammetrists with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about cartographers and photogrammetrists by contacting these additional resources.

What Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Do About this section

Cartographers and photogrammetrists are employed at firms in architectural and engineering services, and also in local and federal government agencies.

Cartographers and photogrammetrists measure, analyze, and interpret geographic information to create maps and charts for political, cultural, educational, and other purposes.

Cartographers are general mapmakers who compile data from multiple sources and then use principles of cartographic design to make maps. Photogrammetrists are specialized mapmakers who use aerial photographs, satellite images, and light-imaging detection and ranging technology (LIDAR) to build 3-D models of the Earth’s surface and its features for purposes of creating maps. 

Duties

Cartographers typically do the following:

• Collect and analyze geographic data, such as population density, demographic characteristics, and annual precipitation patterns
• Examine and compile data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare thematic maps
• Prepare thematic maps in digital or graphic form for social, environmental, political, business, educational, and design purposes
• Revise existing maps and charts to make corrections, adjustments, and updates

Photogrammetrists typically do the following:

• Plan aerial surveys to ensure proper coverage of the area in question
• Collect and analyze spatial data such as latitude, longitude, elevation, and distance
• Develop base maps that make it possible to produce useful cartographic output using a geographic information system (GIS)

Cartographers and photogrammetrists use information from geodetic surveys and remote sensing systems, including aerial cameras, satellites, and technologies such as light-imaging detection and ranging (LIDAR).

LIDAR uses lasers attached to planes and other equipment to digitally map the topography of the Earth. LIDAR is often more accurate than traditional surveying methods and also can be used to collect other forms of data, such as the location and density of forest canopies. Data from LIDAR are used to provide spatial information to specialists in water resource engineering, geology, seismology, forestry, construction, and other fields.

A cartographic professional who creates maps using geographic information system (GIS) technology is known as a geographic information specialist. A GIS is typically used to assemble, integrate, analyze, and display spatial information in a digital format. Maps created with GIS technology link spatial graphic features with non-graphic information. These maps are useful for providing support for decisions involving environmental studies, geology, engineering, land-use planning, and business marketing.

Work Environment About this section

Cartographers typically do fieldwork to collect and verify data used in creating maps.

Cartographers and photogrammetrists held about 13,800 jobs in 2010.

As shown in the tabulation below, about one half of cartographers and photogrammetrists worked in architectural and engineering services firms and for local government agencies in 2010.

About 14 percent of cartographers and photogrammetrists were self-employed in 2010.

Cartographers and photogrammetrists spend much of their time in offices using computers with large monitors, so they can easily study and extract information from aerial photographs and other sources. However, certain jobs require extensive fieldwork to acquire data and verify results.

Cartographers typically do fieldwork to collect and verify data used in creating maps. Photogrammetrists do fieldwork to plan ground control for an aerial survey and to validate interpretations.

How to Become a Cartographer or Photogrammetrist About this section

Cartographers and photogrammetrists measure, analyze, and interpret geographic information to create maps and charts.

A bachelor’s degree in cartography, geography, geomatics, or a related field is the most common path of entry into this occupation. (Geomatics combines the science, engineering, mathematics, and art of collecting and managing geographically referenced information.) Some states require cartographers and photogrammetrists to be licensed as surveyors, and some states have specific licenses for photogrammetrists.

Education

High school students interested in becoming a cartographer or photogrammetrist should take courses in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, drafting, mechanical drawing, and computer science.

Cartographers and photogrammetrists usually have a bachelor's degree in cartography, geography, geomatics, surveying, engineering, forestry, computer science, or a physical science. However, some come into this occupation after working as surveying and mapping technicians. For more information, see the profile on surveying and mapping technicians.

With the development of GIS technology, cartographers and photogrammetrists need more education and stronger technical skills—including more experience with computers—than they did in the past.

Cartographers must also be adept at Web-based mapping technologies including newer modes of compiling data that incorporate the positioning capabilities of mobile phones and in-car navigation systems.

Photogrammetrists also must be adept at remote sensing, image processing, and using the software necessary for these activities.

Important Qualities

Critical-thinking skills. Cartographers work from existing maps, surveys, and other records. To do so, they must be able to determine thematic and positional accuracy of each feature being mapped.

Decision-making skills. Both cartographers and photogrammetrists must make decisions about the accuracy and reliability of the final map. In addition, they must decide what further information they need to meet the client's needs.

Detail oriented. Cartographers must focus on details when including features needed on a final map. Photogrammetrists must pay close attention to detail when interpreting aerial photographs and remotely sensed data.

Problem-solving skills. Cartographers and photogrammetrists must be able to identify and resolve issues with the tools available to them.

Licenses

Licensing requirements for cartographers and photogrammetrists vary by state. A number of states require cartographers and photogrammetrists to be licensed as surveyors, and some states have specific licenses for photogrammetrists.

Although licensing requirements vary in those states requiring licensure, in general, licensing requires formal education and passing a test.

Certification

Cartographers and photogrammetrists may also receive certification from the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) based on experience, education, and passing an exam.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of cartographers and photogrammetrists was $54,510 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,260 and the top 10 percent earned more than $92,730.

Median annual wages in industries employing the largest numbers of cartographers and photogrammetrists in 2010 were as follows:

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists is expected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

Increasing use of maps for national security and local government planning will fuel most of the growth. Cartographers and photogrammetrists will be needed to ensure the reliability and accuracy of maps produced and updated.

Cartographers are also being asked to incorporate into the maps they make the data gathered from social media and Internet technologies.

In addition to openings from growth, job openings will arise from the need to replace workers who retire or leave the occupation. Many cartographers are approaching retirement age.

Cartographers primarily will be needed to visualize spatial information and design the final presentation of information for clients.

Job Prospects

Photogrammetrists should have excellent opportunities, because of the limited number of college graduates receiving degrees in this field.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about cartographers and photogrammetrists, visit

American Congress on Surveying & Mapping  

Cartography and Geographic Information Society  

For career information about photogrammetrists, photogrammetric technicians, remote sensing scientists, and image-based cartographers or geographic information system specialists, visit

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing  

For information about careers in remote sensing, photogrammetry, surveying, GIS analysis, and other geography-related disciplines, visit

Association of American Geographers