Cartographers and photogrammetrists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$78,380
~$38/hr · ~$6,532/mo
US Jobs
13K
Faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
8/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 8/10
The core tasks of collecting, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data are fundamentally digital and highly susceptible to AI-driven automation. Computer vision and machine learning are already significantly faster than humans at interpreting satellite imagery, LiDAR, and survey data, while generative AI can increasingly automate the design and production of both static and interactive maps.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $133,730 | Above avg (113.1) | $118,283 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $128,410 | Above avg (109.1) | $117,709 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $103,140 | Below avg (92.4) | $111,651 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $122,740 | Above avg (117.6) | $104,414 |
| Madison, WI | $96,100 | Below avg (95.9) | $100,173 |
| Salem, OR | $99,400 | Average (102.5) | $97,014 |
| Reno, NV | $94,900 | Average (98.0) | $96,812 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $93,750 | Average (98.3) | $95,385 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $95,610 | Average (102.4) | $93,353 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $106,100 | Above avg (114.7) | $92,463 |
| Greeley, CO | $88,840 | Below avg (96.6) | $91,926 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $103,240 | Above avg (112.7) | $91,581 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $93,330 | Average (102.5) | $91,066 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $95,730 | Above avg (107.3) | $89,183 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $96,270 | Above avg (109.5) | $87,883 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+6% (Faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$38/hr
Monthly Income
~$6,532/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)