Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for cartographers and photogrammetrists in the U.S. is $81,390 ($39.13 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $81,390
- Mean annual wage
- $86,690
- Median hourly wage
- $39.13
- Employment
- 14,260
14,260 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,740 | $25.84 |
| 25th percentile | $65,670 | $31.57 |
| Median (50th) | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| 75th percentile | $101,960 | $49.02 |
| 90th percentile | $126,950 | $61.03 |
Highest-paying states for cartographers and photogrammetrists
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $102,780 | 1,450 |
| Minnesota | $99,850 | 100 |
| Washington | $96,100 | 870 |
| Nevada | $93,560 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $92,230 | 160 |
| New York | $89,290 | 230 |
| Alaska | $89,170 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $88,480 | 170 |
| Oregon | $88,240 | 640 |
| Colorado | $86,960 | 1,220 |
Lowest-paying states
- Illinois: $54,680 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $59,990 median annual wage
- Georgia: $62,630 median annual wage
- Wyoming: $70,590 median annual wage
- Ohio: $70,990 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- Study legal records to establish boundaries of local, national, and international properties.
- Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.
- 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.
- Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
- Select aerial photographic and remote sensing techniques and plotting equipment needed to meet required standards of accuracy.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Bachelor's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.3% |
| Some college, no degree | 7.7% |
| Associate's degree | 3.9% |
| Bachelor's degree | 67.3% |
| Master's degree | 14.2% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 2.6% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Civil Engineers$100,840
- Industrial Engineers$102,440
- Mechanical Engineers$104,110
- Electrical Engineers$120,630
- Engineers, All Other$122,930
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$99,280
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$66,150
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$130,220
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.