Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in California
Want to work as a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in California? Here’s what the data says. 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.
What do Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Make in California?
The cartographers and photogrammetrists working in California, wages run about $106,610 per year (or about $51.25/hour).Annual wages span from $69,340 at the 10th percentile to $135,330 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,340 | $33.34 |
| 25th percentile | $87,490 | $42.06 |
| Median (50th) | $106,610 | $51.25 |
| 75th percentile | $127,330 | $61.22 |
| 90th percentile | $135,330 | $65.06 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California relative to the national average — is 0.71, suggesting fewer cartographers and photogrammetrists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, cartographers and photogrammetrists earn a median of $56,771 per year ($27.29/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 58,033 cartographers and photogrammetrists across the United States. In California alone, about 1,070 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 170 cartographers and photogrammetrists.
Top California Metros for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
The metro areas below employ the most cartographers and photogrammetrists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 230 | $106,100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 180 | $128,410 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 170 | $122,740 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 140 | $95,730 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 110 | $89,430 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 30 | $133,730 |
Top States for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Employment
These states have the highest employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 1,550 |
| Colorado | 1,380 |
| California | 1,070 |
| Virginia | 750 |
| Washington | 670 |
| Oregon | 600 |
| North Carolina | 600 |
| Georgia | 590 |
| Maryland | 550 |
| Florida | 500 |
| Arizona | 360 |
| Ohio | 320 |
| Kansas | 260 |
| Nevada | 220 |
| Missouri | 220 |
| Michigan | 210 |
| Wisconsin | 210 |
| Utah | 200 |
| New York | 190 |
| South Dakota | 170 |
Highest-Paying States for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
Where cartographers and photogrammetrists earn the most: cartographers and photogrammetrists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $117,960 |
| California | $106,610 |
| Connecticut | $94,000 |
| Washington | $93,030 |
| New York | $93,030 |
| Nevada | $91,550 |
| Oklahoma | $90,460 |
| Massachusetts | $89,250 |
| Hawaii | $88,200 |
| Minnesota | $86,810 |
Skills
The most important cartographers and photogrammetrists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for cartographers and photogrammetrists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, cartographers and photogrammetrists typically:
- 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.
- Examine and analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics, and related charts.
- Build and update digital databases.
- Determine map content and layout, as well as production specifications such as scale, size, projection, and colors, and direct production to ensure that specifications are followed.
- Determine guidelines that specify which source material is acceptable for use.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Processing Information
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Thinking Creatively
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Geography & Cartography
- Engineering-Related Technologies
- Surveying Engineering
- Security Science and Technology
- Intelligence & Command Operations
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to cartographers and photogrammetrists include:
- Database Architects
- Data Warehousing Specialists
- Software Developers
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
- Data Scientists
- Surveyors
Also Known As
Aerial Photogrammetrist, Cadastral Mapper, Cartographer, Cartographic Designer, Cartographic Drafter, Cartography Technician, Data Mapper, Digital Cartographer, Field Map Editor, Geospatial Specialist, Imagery Analyst, LIDAR Technician (Light Detection and Ranging Technician), Map Editor, Map Maker, Mapper.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-1021.00
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