How much does a cartographer and photogrammetrist make?
The median cartographer and photogrammetrist in the United States earns $81,390 per year, about $39.13 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all cartographers and photogrammetrists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-1021.
Cartographer and photogrammetrist salary range
Pay for cartographers and photogrammetrists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $53,740 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $126,950. The average (mean) wage of $86,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,740 | $25.84 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $65,670 | $31.57 | |
| Median (50th) | $81,390 | $39.13 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $101,960 | $49.02 | |
| 90th percentile | $126,950 | $61.03 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for cartographers and photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Cartographer and photogrammetrist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Cartographers and photogrammetrists earn the most in California at $102,780 a year, and the least in Illinois at $54,680. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Virginia | $86,660 | 860 |
| Oklahoma | $86,410 | 70 |
| Iowa | $84,570 | 90 |
| Maryland | $84,360 | 450 |
| Connecticut | $84,100 | 150 |
| Arizona | $82,260 | 400 |
| Nebraska | $81,500 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $81,080 | 900 |
| Florida | $79,650 | 610 |
| New Mexico | $79,200 | 70 |
| Maine | $78,670 | 40 |
| Missouri | $76,950 | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $76,760 | 260 |
| Utah | $75,220 | 150 |
| Michigan | $75,090 | 250 |
| Indiana | $74,800 | 40 |
| Texas | $73,970 | 1,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,180 | 140 |
| Tennessee | $72,990 | 150 |
| Idaho | $72,930 | 100 |
| South Dakota | $72,910 | 140 |
| South Carolina | $72,260 | 150 |
| Montana | $72,220 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $72,130 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $71,470 | 90 |
| North Dakota | $71,070 | 80 |
| Ohio | $70,990 | 490 |
| Wyoming | $70,590 | 100 |
| Georgia | $62,630 | 490 |
| Louisiana | $59,990 | N/A |
| Illinois | $54,680 | 180 |
State median wages for cartographers and photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for cartographers and photogrammetrists
The BLS projects employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 14,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 15,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for cartographers and photogrammetrists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a cartographer and photogrammetrist
The typical entry-level education for cartographers and photogrammetrists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a cartographer and photogrammetrist earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $102,780) and the lowest (Illinois, $54,680) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,260 people work as cartographers and photogrammetrists in the United States. At $81,390 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Cartographer and photogrammetrist salary FAQ
How much does a cartographer and photogrammetrist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a cartographer and photogrammetrist is $39.13. The middle half of cartographers and photogrammetrists earn between $31.57 and $49.02 per hour.
What is the highest cartographer and photogrammetrist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of cartographers and photogrammetrists earn more than $126,950 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a cartographer and photogrammetrist make a year?
The median annual salary for a cartographer and photogrammetrist is $81,390. The average (mean) wage of $86,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a cartographer and photogrammetrist a well paid job?
At $81,390 a year, a cartographer and photogrammetrist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,260 people work as cartographers and photogrammetrists in the United States.
Which state pays cartographers and photogrammetrists the most?
California has the highest median salary for cartographers and photogrammetrists at $102,780 a year. Minnesota ($99,850) and Washington ($96,100) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a cartographer and photogrammetrist a good career?
Employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists is projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a cartographer and photogrammetrist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for cartographers and photogrammetrists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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