Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists salary by state
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
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About this role
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists is a professional role within the function in the Architecture and Engineering job family.
Typical entry preparation: Post-Secondary Certificate and up to 1 year of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
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.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningActive LearningSpeaking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists pay by experience level
Entry level$55,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$68,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$84,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$105,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$131,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+6.4%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,000
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
6,830 workers
$91,000
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
5,820 workers
$89,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
4,990 workers
$84,000
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
3,280 workers
$86,500
Utilities
920 workers
$106,000
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
800 workers
$85,000
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
510 workers
$116,500
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
490 workers
$86,000
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
480 workers
$95,000
Natural Gas Distribution
420 workers
$118,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Pay trend
National median annual wage, 2020 to 2025: $68,380 to $81,390.
+19.0% over this period
Medians as published each May in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national estimates. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS.
Pay by experience level
How annual pay for this occupation spreads from newcomers to the highest paid, aged to 2026.
Entry10th percentile
$55,500
Early career25th percentile
$68,000
Median50th percentile
$84,000
Experienced75th percentile
$105,500
Top earners90th percentile
$131,500
Bands are the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages for this occupation nationally. Percentiles reflect the full mix of tenure, employer, and location, so they approximate but do not equal years of experience. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS national estimates.
Where this job pays most
Top-paying states for this occupation, average annual wage aged to 2026.
State averages for this occupation from the BLS OEWS state estimates. Cost of living differs by state; a higher wage does not always mean more buying power.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET occupational database.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
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.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
Pay outlook
Five-year pay outlook for this title
2026$89,500
2027$92,500
2028$96,000
2029$99,000
2030$102,500
2031$106,500
Projection assumes market wages keep rising about 3.5% a year, consistent with recent wage growth measured by the BLS Employment Cost Index. It reflects market movement for the title, not individual raises or promotions, which vary.
Get your Personal Pay Report for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
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Sources and assumptions
Modeled market estimate, aged to 2026. Underlying source families are BLS OEWS May 2025 for BLS-mapped occupations and the 2018–19 collection for corporate titles. Annual aging is compounded at approximately 3–4%; geographic, industry and company-size repricing are modeled. See the role details and methodology for the applicable source and assumptions.
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How much does a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists make?
The median market pay for a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in the United States is about $89,500 per year in 2026, based on WePayFairly's market model.
What is the salary range for a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists?
Most Cartographers and Photogrammetrists pay falls between about $68,000 (25th percentile) and $105,500 (75th percentile), with top earners above $131,500.
What does a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists do?
Core responsibilities include: compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps; and delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
Is pay for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists roles growing?
Yes. The national median wage for this occupation moved from $68,380 in 2020 to $81,390 in 2025, a change of +19% in nominal dollars.
How this role compares
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists pays 17% below the average across 59 roles in the Architecture and Engineering job family (family average $108,000).
Similar-paying roles in Architecture and Engineering
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists make?
The average base salary for a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in the United States is $89,500 per year, or about $43.03 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $68,000 and $105,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Architecture and Engineering roles?
The Architecture and Engineering job family averages $108,000 across 59 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Cartographers and Photogrammetrists pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
