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The differences between cartographers and compilers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cartographer has an average salary of $62,172, which is higher than the $53,597 average annual salary of a compiler.
The top three skills for a cartographer include GIS, data collection and extraction. The most important skills for a compiler are C, compilers, and code generation.
| Cartographer | Compiler | |
| Yearly salary | $62,172 | $53,597 |
| Hourly rate | $29.89 | $25.77 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 390 | 465 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A cartographer is someone who makes charts and maps based on geodetic surveys and satellite images. This person usually works with the government or a construction company to create urban planning and infrastructure development plans. The cartographer is an essential part of the construction business as it is necessary to know the lay of the land to build structures and edifices properly. The cartographer works alongside the architect and the overall engineer in a construction project.
Compilers are skilled professionals who are responsible for compiling directories and census reports using data obtained from surveys or census. These compilers must assist survey crews in developing and producing maps and cartographic information using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for property owners and businesses. They must utilize analytical mapping software and hardware so that they can compile planimetric data and DTM data for contour generation. Compilers must also create tutorials on spatial methodology related to spatial analysis for GIS users.
Cartographers and compilers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cartographer | Compiler | |
| Average salary | $62,172 | $53,597 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $90,000 | Between $25,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Burlingame, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | - |
There are a few differences between a cartographer and a compiler in terms of educational background:
| Cartographer | Compiler | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Geography | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Pennsylvania State University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between cartographers' and compilers' demographics:
| Cartographer | Compiler | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.7% Female, 29.3% | Male, 48.0% Female, 52.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |