How much does a mapmaker make?
Answer: A typical mapmaker in the United States makes $81,390 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 14,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Mapmaker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $53,740 | $81,390 | $126,950 | about 14,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $102,780 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $96,100 | about 870 |
| Oregon | $88,240 | about 640 |
| Colorado | $86,960 | about 1,000 |
| Virginia | $86,660 | about 860 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can vary with experience, location, and employer: federal, local, and private employers may pay differently. In-demand GIS or 3-D skills, a needed license or useful certification, complex tasks, and hours worked can also matter; fieldwork may mean longer days.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a mapmaker do?
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.
What's a typical day like?
They compare surveys, satellite or aerial images, and elevation data on a computer, then use GIS software to draw or update a map. They check details for accuracy and may visit the area to confirm what the images show.
How to get this job
In the U.S., mapmakers usually earn a bachelor’s in cartography, geography, geomatics, surveying, or a related field, plus GIS classes and an internship. They often start after college; state licenses depend on duties, and certification is usually optional.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and figuring things out.
Did you know?
Two overlapping aerial photos can reveal a 3-D landscape, letting mapmakers measure land heights from pictures.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Architecture and Engineering jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/cartographers-and-photogrammetrists
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-1021.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- pubs.usgs.gov/publication/tm11C11/full
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY