Cartographers and Photogrammetrists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data. Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for 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.

• 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.

Featured Schools

[clear]

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists with little to no experience tend to make between $40960 and $51180 while the more experienced ones can earn over $82810 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Cartographer and Photogrammetrist is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists are CA, NJ, VA, WA and MD.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Cartographer and Photogrammetrist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

We asked other Cartographers and Photogrammetrists what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Post-Secondary Certificate followed by a Bachelor’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Cartographer and Photogrammetrist.

[clear]

97% of Cartographers and Photogrammetrists said they were satisfied with their job and 80% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.