How to Become a Cartographer & GIS Specialist in 2026
Quick answer: Becoming a cartographer requires a 4-year degree - typically a Bachelor’s in geomatics, geography/GIS, or surveying. The national median pay is $81,390 per year, and BLS projects +6.4% employment change from 2024 to 2034 (BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Cartographer & GIS Specialist at a Glance
| Metric | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $81,390 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Typical wage range | $53,740 (10th pct) - $126,950 (90th pct) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected growth (2024-34) | +6.4% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
| Typical education | Bachelor’s in geomatics, geography/GIS, or surveying | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| License / certification | Photogrammetrist licensure in some states; GISP certification valued | State licensing boards |
What Does a Cartographer & GIS Specialist Do?
Cartographers and photogrammetrists turn survey data, drone imagery, and LiDAR into authoritative maps and spatial databases - the office half of the measurement work survey crews perform in the field.
Skills That Make a Great Cartographer & GIS Specialist
- ArcGIS and QGIS mastery
- Photogrammetry workflows
- LiDAR processing
- Cartographic design
- Spatial database management
How to Become a Cartographer & GIS Specialist
1. Build field data experience
Survey crew, drone mapping, or utility locating work supplies the spatial foundation.
2. Earn the bachelor’s degree
Geomatics, geography with GIS, or surveying.
3. Master the toolchain
ArcGIS/QGIS, photogrammetry suites, and LiDAR processing.
4. Start in GIS analysis or mapping production
Government agencies, utilities, and engineering firms are the major employers.
5. Advance
GIS manager, photogrammetrist (licensed in some states), or geospatial program lead.
Why an Online Degree Works for This Career
Survey crew members and drone operators feed this career directly. Online GIS and geomatics bachelor’s programs (and GIS certificates stacked on an existing degree) are among the most established online geospatial credentials.
Cartographer & GIS Specialist Salary
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $53,740 |
| 25th | $65,670 |
| 50th (median) | $81,390 |
| 75th | $101,960 |
| 90th | $126,950 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13,400 |
| 2034 projected | 14,300 |
| Percent change | +6.4% |
Cost and Time to Complete the Degree
For cartographers and photogrammetrists, the credential is: Bachelor’s in geomatics, geography/GIS, or surveying. A bachelor’s degree is typically 120 credit hours: four years full-time, and commonly five to six years part-time while working. Transfer credit is the other lever: prior college, military training, apprenticeship coursework, and industry certifications can be worth a year or more at transfer-friendly schools, so get a written transfer evaluation before enrolling anywhere. Costs vary widely by school type; in-state public online programs are usually the value benchmark, and employer tuition assistance is common for working adults in this field.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Cartographer & GIS Specialist
Pros
- Median pay of $81,390 nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- BLS projects +6.4% employment growth through 2034
- Field experience from the trades is a genuine hiring advantage
- Accredited online and hybrid degree paths exist for working adults
Cons
- Requires a 4-year degree (typically 120 credit hours)
- Entry-level pay starts near $53,740 at the 10th percentile
- Licensing hurdle: Photogrammetrist licensure in some states; GISP certification valued
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a survey technician move into GIS?
Yes - it is the standard office-side progression from field surveying, and the bachelor's in geomatics or GIS is the typical entry credential BLS lists for the occupation.
How much do cartographers and photogrammetrists make?
The national median annual wage for cartographers and photogrammetrists is $81,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The top 10% earn $126,950 or more, while entry-level pay starts around $53,740.
What is the job outlook for cartographers and photogrammetrists?
BLS projects employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists to change by +6.4% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Cartographer & GIS Specialist Salary and Requirements by State
Alaska · Arizona · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Virginia · Washington · Wisconsin · Wyoming
Related Trade Careers
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Cartographer Gis Salary by State
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |