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Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in District of Columbia

Considering working as a Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in District of Columbia? Here’s what the data says. 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.

$117,960 Median Annual Wage (District of Columbia)

$56,771 National Median Annual Wage

40 District of Columbia Employment

Considerable Preparation Needed Typical Preparation

What do Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Make in District of Columbia?

For a cartographers and photogrammetrists working in District of Columbia, the median annual wage is $117,960 per year (or roughly $56.71/hour).Earnings range from $79,770 at the 10th percentile to $145,480 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$79,770	$38.35
25th percentile	$105,500	$50.72
Median (50th)	$117,960	$56.71
75th percentile	$129,910	$62.46
90th percentile	$145,480	$69.94

Salary ranges for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in District of Columbia

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in District of Columbia compared to the national average — is 0.66, indicating fewer cartographers and photogrammetrists per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, cartographers and photogrammetrists earn a median of $56,771 per year ($27.29/hour), exceeding the District of Columbia median.

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists earnings in District of Columbia vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 58,033 cartographers and photogrammetrists across the United States. In District of Columbia alone, about 40 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 170 cartographers and photogrammetrists.

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in District of Columbia vs. the average state

Forecasted number of jobs for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Top District of Columbia Metros for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

The largest metro-area employers of cartographers and photogrammetrists in District of Columbia.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	690	$96,270

Top States for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Employment

The table below shows the states where the most cartographers and photogrammetrists work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	1,550
Colorado	1,380
California	1,070
Virginia	750
Washington	670
Oregon	600
North Carolina	600
Georgia	590
Maryland	550
Florida	500
Arizona	360
Ohio	320
Kansas	260
Nevada	220
Missouri	220
Michigan	210
Wisconsin	210
Utah	200
New York	190
South Dakota	170

Highest-Paying States for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Where cartographers and photogrammetrists earn the most: cartographers and photogrammetrists.

State	Annual Median Salary
District of Columbia	$117,960
California	$106,610
Connecticut	$94,000
Washington	$93,030
New York	$93,030
Nevada	$91,550
Oklahoma	$90,460
Massachusetts	$89,250
Hawaii	$88,200
Minnesota	$86,810

Skills

The most important cartographers and photogrammetrists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Reading Comprehension 4.0 / 5

Writing 3.5 / 5

Critical Thinking 3.5 / 5

Active Listening 3.4 / 5

Active Learning 3.2 / 5

Monitoring 3.1 / 5

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Geography 4.5 / 5

Computers and Electronics 4.2 / 5

English Language 3.5 / 5

Design 3.4 / 5

Mathematics 3.3 / 5

Customer and Personal Service 2.9 / 5

Abilities

Key abilities for cartographers and photogrammetrists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Written Comprehension 4.0 / 5

Oral Comprehension 3.9 / 5

Near Vision 3.9 / 5

Inductive Reasoning 3.6 / 5

Written Expression 3.5 / 5

Deductive Reasoning 3.5 / 5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, cartographers and photogrammetrists typically:

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.
Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.
Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.
Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.
Examine and analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics, and related charts.
Build and update digital databases.
Determine map content and layout, as well as production specifications such as scale, size, projection, and colors, and direct production to ensure that specifications are followed.
Determine guidelines that specify which source material is acceptable for use.

Work Activities

Getting Information
Working with Computers
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Documenting/Recording Information
Processing Information
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Analyzing Data or Information
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Thinking Creatively

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

Geography & Cartography
Engineering-Related Technologies
Surveying Engineering
Security Science and Technology
Intelligence & Command Operations

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Related occupations to cartographers and photogrammetrists include:

Also Known As

Aerial Photogrammetrist, Cadastral Mapper, Cartographer, Cartographic Designer, Cartographic Drafter, Cartography Technician, Data Mapper, Digital Cartographer, Field Map Editor, Geospatial Specialist, Imagery Analyst, LIDAR Technician (Light Detection and Ranging Technician), Map Editor, Map Maker, Mapper.

References

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
O*NET-SOC code: 17-1021.00

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