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Cartographers and Photogrammetrists In Demand

General Information

Description

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.

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Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Job Outlook

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
+5%
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Job Outlook

×

Employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,000 openings for cartographers and photogrammetrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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    • Geospatial Imaging Officers
      • Geospatial imaging officers aid in the success of military operations by identifying and analyzing imagery and geospatial intelligence. They coordinate and supervise the collection, analysis, and processing of geospatial information. They oversee the use of geographic information systems (GIS) that store and analyze maps and other geographic data. These officers are also in charge of disseminating imagery and analysis results to relevant parties. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Geospatial Imaging Specialists
      • Geospatial imaging specialists perform the collection, analysis, and dissemination of geospatial imagery to support war fighting operations and other activities. They operate geographic information systems (GIS) that store and analyze maps and other geographic information. Intelligence derived by the geospatial imaging specialist is critical for mission success at the national, theater, and tactical levels. As such, they disseminate multi-sensor geospatial intelligence products to appropriate parties.   Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Intelligence Specialists
      • Intelligence specialists play a key role in ensuring that military operations are planned using the most accurate, current information about enemy forces and capabilities. They oversee efforts to collect, exploit, develop, analyze, and produce intelligence information for dissemination to key military leaders and consumers worldwide. The results of their work are used to develop targets and provide situational awareness to operations personnel and key leadership. Intelligence specialists may focus on one type of intelligence information, such as signals or human intelligence, or may consolidate all sources into usable products. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Meteorological Specialists
      • Meteorological specialists predict the weather and study the causes of particular weather conditions using information obtained from the land, sea, and upper atmosphere. They use the latest forecast technology to predict severe weather-- tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, strong winds, and excessive heat and cold. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Space Operations Officers
      • Space operations officers manage space flight planning, training, mission control, and other activities involved in launching and recovering spacecraft. They provide consultation and oversight of space systems functions related to operations, development and acquisition, and policy planning. They perform space operations activities including orbital analysis, surveillance, and space warning. They conduct satellite position predictions and perform space lift operations, including flight control and launch-processing activities. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Space Operations Specialists
      • Space operations specialists manage space warning systems, control orbital mechanics, conduct data analysis, and transmit signals to satellites. These specialists operate space systems to perform space control missions. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Surveying, Mapping, and Drafting Technicians
      • Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians help determine, describe, and record geographic areas or features. They conduct land surveys, take measurements, make maps, and prepare detailed plans and drawings for construction projects. They are sometimes called upon to provide maps and surveys that locate military targets and help plot troop movements. These technicians play key roles in the collection and analysis of geospatial information. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Intelligence Officers
      • Intelligence officers provide a service that is crucial for our national defense. These officers develop and execute plans, policies, and procedures that facilitate intelligence functions. They are experts on all intelligence disciplines and their application across the spectrum of military operations. They may conduct counter-intelligence operations to safeguard against adversarial threats. Some intelligence officers specialize in one form of intelligence, such as imagery, signals, or human intelligence. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • All-Source Intelligence Specialists
      • All-source intelligence specialists are specifically trained in the planning, collection, and implementation of all intelligence disciplines across the full spectrum of operations. All-source intelligence specialists consolidate imagery, signals, measurements, human, and open-source data into information to support national defense. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$71,890

Median Military Salary Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

$64,499

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$44,040
$98,120
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Post-secondary certificate 35%
  • Bachelor's degree 30%
  • Associate's degree 11%
  • Some college 10%
  • Master's degree 10%
  • Post baccalaureate 1%
  • High school 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
  • Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.
  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Geography
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Design
  • Mathematics
  • English Language

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.