What does a cartographer do?
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.
Cartographer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real cartographer resumes:
- Provide geographic-based services, support and expertise to numerous divisions in GTNP using ESRI ArcGIS software.
- Support cartographic map production through digital extraction and correlation of terrain and environmental features.
- Create and teach tutorials regarding spatial methodology relate to spatial analysis for statewide agency GIS users.
- Experience in production of NGA mapping products.
- Conduct field surveys using GPS and other survey equipment.
- Perform FDC/QC/FDV; select for dedicate QC and audit.
- Chart, check, and confirm field information using GPS.
- Implement ESRI software updates and train staff on proper software best practices.
- Update charts using the latest topographic, bathymetric, hydrographic, and imagery data.
- Perform QC, QA, and peer review of co-workers on a regular basis.
- Reproduce mosaic aerial photos and provide copies of USGS maps to facility and students.
- Edit discrepancy polygons by adding appropriate code and comments for BQARP digitizing in GATRES.
- Develop and produce maps and cartographic information using GIS for property owners and businesses.
- Involve all aspects of digitizing, coding, and quality control require for production of digital mapping products.
- Conduct global reviews of team members' extraction areas ensuring that newly extract data merge successfully with existing adjacent data.
Cartographer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Cartographers are proficient in GIS, Data Collection, and Extraction. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Cartographers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GIS, 18%
Coordinate with Information Technology personnel to ensure network connections to City-wide GIS server; make related recommendations.
- Data Collection, 11%
Conducted surveys and data collection.
- Extraction, 11%
Conducted global reviews of team members' extraction areas ensuring that newly extracted data merged successfully with existing adjacent data.
- Remote Sensing, 8%
Performed digital mapping conversion, using aerial and satellite Remote Sensing data conversion for DEM (Digital Elevation Modeling).
- GPS, 6%
Charted, checked, and confirmed field information using GPS.
- Bathymetric, 6%
Served as Technical Lead and Systems Manager for first fully digital cartographic production system for bathymetric charts.
Common skills that a cartographer uses to do their job include "gis," "data collection," and "extraction." You can find details on the most important cartographer responsibilities below.
Computer skills. One of the key soft skills for a cartographer to have is computer skills. You can see how this relates to what cartographers do because "both cartographers and photogrammetrists must have experience working with computer data and coding." Additionally, a cartographer resume shows how cartographers use computer skills: "trained employees in the use of udig, a gis program capable of running on apple computers. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling cartographer duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "cartographers must focus on details when conceiving a map and deciding what features to include." According to a cartographer resume, here's how cartographers can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "performed highly-detailed design work in adobe illustrator, photoshop and indesign. "
Problem-solving skills. cartographers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to cartographer responsibilities, because "cartographers and photogrammetrists must be able to reconcile differences between aerial photographs, land surveys, and satellite images." A cartographer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "contracted to esri in 2007 for quality assurance testing completed esri training course for nautical solution"
The three companies that hire the most cartographers are:
- BAE Systems4 cartographers jobs
- ManTech2 cartographers jobs
- ICONMA2 cartographers jobs
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Compare different cartographers
Cartographer vs. Stereo compiler
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between cartographers and stereo compiler. For instance, cartographer responsibilities require skills such as "gis," "extraction," "remote sensing," and "bathymetric." Whereas a stereo compiler is skilled in "planimetric," "softcopy," "digital terrain models," and "client specifications." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, stereo compilers reach similar levels of education than cartographers. Stereo compilers are 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Cartographer vs. Mapper
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, cartographer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "extraction," "remote sensing," "bathymetric," and "nga." Meanwhile, a mapper has duties that require skills in areas such as "cad software," "pipeline project," "edi," and "as-built." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Mappers tend to reach similar levels of education than cartographers. In fact, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cartographer vs. Compiler
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a cartographer is likely to be skilled in "data collection," "extraction," "remote sensing," and "gps," while a typical compiler is skilled in "c #," "c," "c++," and "compilers."
Compilers typically earn higher educational levels compared to cartographers. Specifically, they're 9.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cartographer vs. Photogrammetrist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between cartographers and photogrammetrists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a cartographer might have more use for skills like "gis," "bathymetric," "nga," and "dod." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of photogrammetrists require skills like "image processing," "vr," "accuracy assessments," and "aerial surveys. "
Photogrammetrists reach similar levels of education compared to cartographers, in general. The difference is that they're 3.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of cartographer
Updated January 8, 2025
