SOC 171021

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.

National Median

$78,380

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$78,380

Entry Level (10th pct)

$50,500

Experienced (90th pct)

$121,440

Total Employed

12,790

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$50,500 - $62,860
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$62,860 - $99,650
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$99,650 - $121,440

Highest Paying Locations for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$133,730

+70.6% vs national

Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

$128,410

+63.8% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$122,740

+56.6% vs national

District of Columbia

$117,960

+50.5% vs national

California

$106,610

+36.0% vs national

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$133,730	30
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$128,410	180
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$122,740	170
District of Columbia	$117,960	40
California	$106,610	1,070
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$106,100	230
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$103,240	310
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$103,140	40
Salem, OR	$99,400	50
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$96,270	690
Madison, WI	$96,100	50
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$95,730	140
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$95,610	60
Reno, NV	$94,900	40
Connecticut	$94,000	N/A
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$93,750	130
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$93,330	50
Washington	$93,030	670
New York	$93,030	190
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$92,980	40
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$92,390	30
Nevada	$91,550	220
Oklahoma	$90,460	50
Bellingham, WA	$90,230	30
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$89,430	110
Massachusetts	$89,250	120
Greeley, CO	$88,840	40
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$88,540	80
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$88,420	350
Hawaii	$88,200	N/A
Urban Honolulu, HI	$88,200	N/A
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$88,080	120
Minnesota	$86,810	120
New Jersey	$85,220	130
Boulder, CO	$84,490	90
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$84,230	N/A
Oregon	$82,810	600
North Dakota	$82,760	40
Maryland	$82,760	550
Maine	$81,620	60
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$81,510	30
Bend, OR	$81,430	40
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$81,150	50
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$81,100	40
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$80,760	50
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$80,290	170
Columbus, OH	$80,290	90
Ohio	$80,290	320
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$80,240	110
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$80,000	40

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists?

The national median annual salary for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists is $78,380, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Cartographers and Photogrammetristss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Cartographers and Photogrammetristss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $133,730.

How much can an experienced Cartographers and Photogrammetrists make?

Top-earning Cartographers and Photogrammetristss (90th percentile) make $121,440 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.