Cartographer and Photogrammetrist Salary
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists earn a median $81,390 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations
What cartographers and photogrammetrists do
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 education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.4% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 900
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists is projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cartographer and Photogrammetrist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,076
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,046
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,180
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$66,088
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,740 | $25.84 | $45,360 |
| 25th percentile | $65,670 | $31.57 | $54,946 |
| Median (50th) | $81,390 | $39.13 | $66,088 |
| 75th percentile | $101,960 | $49.02 | $80,559 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,950 | $61.03 | $98,036 |
Cartographer and Photogrammetrist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $102,780 | −3.6% | $74,471 | $63,080 – $135,490 | 1,450 |
| Minnesota | $99,850 | +15.0% | $73,808 | $71,620 – $125,660 | 100 |
| Washington | $96,100 | +3.3% | $76,436 | $66,250 – $128,100 | 870 |
| Nevada | $93,560 | +2.2% | $74,649 | $67,040 – $121,000 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $92,230 | +3.3% | $69,322 | $72,770 – $158,370 | 160 |
| New York | $89,290 | −4.0% | $67,418 | $37,530 – $126,170 | 230 |
| Alaska | $89,170 | +12.6% | $71,561 | $69,610 – $116,900 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $88,480 | +3.8% | $67,629 | $63,790 – $122,660 | 170 |
| Oregon | $88,240 | +6.6% | $64,015 | $61,460 – $121,560 | 640 |
| Colorado | $86,960 | +11.4% | $66,889 | $61,060 – $130,310 | 1,220 |
| Virginia | $86,660 | +11.2% | $65,626 | $59,480 – $122,480 | 860 |
| Oklahoma | $86,410 | −4.5% | $66,276 | $61,570 – $132,220 | 70 |
| Iowa | $84,570 | +8.9% | $65,763 | $57,600 – $105,300 | 90 |
| Maryland | $84,360 | +1.9% | $64,534 | $58,870 – $131,810 | 450 |
| Connecticut | $84,100 | −10.5% | $64,944 | $52,470 – $122,430 | 150 |
| Arizona | $82,260 | +9.7% | $64,852 | $58,400 – $114,770 | 400 |
| Nebraska | $81,500 | +8.1% | $63,337 | $45,410 – $119,620 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $81,080 | +5.7% | $63,143 | $59,110 – $99,270 | 900 |
| Florida | $79,650 | +13.6% | $64,864 | $59,410 – $109,110 | 610 |
| New Mexico | $79,200 | — | $61,991 | $48,040 – $113,970 | 70 |
| Maine | $78,670 | −3.6% | $60,045 | $52,580 – $102,430 | 40 |
| Missouri | $76,950 | −0.6% | $60,285 | $50,290 – $116,430 | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $76,760 | −0.4% | $60,143 | $54,400 – $112,510 | 260 |
| Utah | $75,220 | +15.3% | $59,328 | $50,100 – $109,990 | 150 |
| Michigan | $75,090 | +3.9% | $58,715 | $57,720 – $98,350 | 250 |
| Indiana | $74,800 | — | $59,275 | $40,860 – $98,380 | 40 |
| Texas | $73,970 | +2.8% | $60,868 | $43,040 – $138,390 | 1,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,180 | +4.9% | $58,066 | $53,490 – $102,820 | 140 |
| Tennessee | $72,990 | −2.7% | $60,178 | $59,070 – $100,630 | 150 |
| Idaho | $72,930 | +5.1% | $57,379 | $51,790 – $96,100 | 100 |
| South Dakota | $72,910 | +0.4% | $60,122 | $42,300 – $96,600 | 140 |
| South Carolina | $72,260 | +20.1% | $56,486 | $49,280 – $103,220 | 150 |
| Montana | $72,220 | +18.5% | $56,917 | $44,590 – $91,560 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $72,130 | +2.8% | $59,573 | $43,850 – $104,990 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $71,470 | +11.4% | $56,725 | $46,970 – $105,950 | 90 |
| North Dakota | $71,070 | −14.1% | $58,701 | $37,390 – $97,910 | 80 |
| Ohio | $70,990 | −11.6% | $57,602 | $47,400 – $103,000 | 490 |
| Wyoming | $70,590 | +10.7% | $58,490 | $52,490 – $85,730 | 100 |
| Georgia | $62,630 | +13.6% | $49,876 | $39,090 – $94,330 | 490 |
| Louisiana | $59,990 | — | $48,969 | $55,870 – $101,400 | — |
| Illinois | $54,680 | −23.3% | $43,554 | $47,480 – $104,720 | 180 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surveyor | $75,440 | Bachelor's degree | +5.8% |
| Landscape Architect | $79,870 | Bachelor's degree | +4.4% |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,280 | Bachelor's degree | +4.3% |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician | $82,890 | Associate's degree | +11.9% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,350 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician | $78,190 | Associate's degree | +2.4% |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafter | $76,870 | Associate's degree | -3.4% |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician | $74,510 | Associate's degree | +1.3% |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician | $73,900 | Associate's degree | +2.6% |
| Mechanical Drafter | $71,550 | Associate's degree | -6.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cartographer and photogrammetrist make?
The national median salary for cartographers and photogrammetrists is $81,390 a year ($39.13 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,740 and the top 10% earn over $126,950. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays cartographers and photogrammetrists the most?
California has the highest median pay at $102,780.
How many cartographers and photogrammetrists are there in the U.S.?
About 14,260 people work as cartographers and photogrammetrists nationwide.