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What does a mapping technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A mapping technician helps cartographers and photogrammetrists produce and update maps. Their work is done using computers and drones, so this position requires familiarity with mapping tools. Their responsibilities are collecting the information to complete maps and surveys, calculating map making information from collected notes, drawing topographical maps, verifying maps, and developing information databases that contain geographic and topographic data. They are also responsible for determining the scales, line sizes and colors to be used for the hard copies of computerized maps.

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Mapping technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real mapping technician resumes:

  • Manage a team of 35 AutoCAD drafters and engineering technicians.
  • Generate GIS database updates manually and manage automated unix-base system to apply records to client database.
  • Utilize geographic mapping systems: GIS, GATRES, INTERNETIX, GEOCAT, USGS
  • Supervise the construction of projects design by BMI.
  • Collect imagery from mobile Lidar vehicle and produce high-quality 3D maps.
  • Gain proficiency with ESRI ArcGIS software including ArcMap, ArcGlobe, and ArcCatalog
  • Implement ESRI base automated staking system pair with an outage management phone system.
  • Digitize pipelines onto maps, from GPS data, using MicroStation 95 and SE.
  • Experience with classifying points in LiDAR editing to provide data for city project use.
  • Perform mapping and digitizing changes or updates relate to the electric transmission and distribution system.
  • Compile GPS track data and boundary points in ArcGIS Online to create a street sign inventory.
  • Create and maintain databases used in the engineering department including using SQL for queries and making reports.
  • Perform``heads up"digitizing of gas service lines and mains, base on engineer drawings.
  • Compile USGS maps using aerial photographic imagery drawn on mylar from topographic maps and nautical chart resources.
  • Used advanced VBA skills to process large quantities of fix asset data and produce summary reports for clients.

Mapping technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 21% of Mapping Technicians are proficient in GIS, Data Collection, and Spatial Data. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Problem-solving skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Mapping Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • GIS, 21%

    Integrated pipeline specifications into various Facilities Management GIS and MS Access databases.

  • Data Collection, 14%

    Created tutorials for performing data collection and maintenance for GeoBase users utilizing above mentioned software and hardware.

  • Spatial Data, 14%

    Digitized all fiber optic routes from paper maps and updated the new files with attribute and spatial data.

  • GPS, 12%

    Compiled GPS track data and boundary points in ArcGIS Online to create a street sign inventory.

  • Computer Programs, 4%

    Trained numerous employees in various computer programs, field equipment, and mapping fundamentals.

  • Survey Data, 4%

    Assist Professional Engineers with Site Plans as well as Survey data related problems.

Most mapping technicians use their skills in "gis," "data collection," and "spatial data" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential mapping technician responsibilities here:

Listening skills. One of the key soft skills for a mapping technician to have is listening skills. You can see how this relates to what mapping technicians do because "surveying technicians work outdoors and must communicate with party chiefs and other team members across distances." Additionally, a mapping technician resume shows how mapping technicians use listening skills: "communicated lab results to patients. "

Problem-solving skills. Many mapping technician duties rely on problem-solving skills. "surveying and mapping technicians must be able to identify and fix problems with their equipment," so a mapping technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways mapping technician responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "involved solvingoriginal legal descriptions to result in individual closure, piecing closed parcels together using approved methods of boundary resolution. "

Detail oriented. mapping technicians are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to mapping technician responsibilities, because "surveying and mapping technicians must be precise and accurate in their work." A mapping technician resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "utilized the program gis (geographic information system) to create detailed maps. "

All mapping technician skills

The three companies that hire the most mapping technicians are:

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Compare different mapping technicians

Mapping technician vs. Cartographic drafter

We looked at the average mapping technician salary and compared it with the wages of a cartographic drafter. Generally speaking, cartographic drafters are paid $17,602 higher than mapping technicians per year.Even though mapping technicians and cartographic drafters are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require gis, esri, and legal descriptions in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a mapping technician are more likely to require skills like "data collection," "spatial data," "gps," and "database software." On the other hand, a job as a cartographic drafter requires skills like "autocad," "cad," "usgs," and "aerial photography." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Cartographic drafters tend to reach lower levels of education than mapping technicians. In fact, cartographic drafters are 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Mapping technician vs. Map drafter

On average, map drafters earn a $15,658 higher salary than mapping technicians a year.A few skills overlap for mapping technicians and map drafters. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "gis," "legal descriptions," and "mapinfo. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, mapping technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "data collection," "spatial data," "gps," and "database software." Meanwhile, a map drafter has duties that require skills in areas such as "cad," "route maps," "lis," and "cpr." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

In general, map drafters achieve lower levels of education than mapping technicians. They're 5.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Mapping technician vs. Mapping supervisor

On average, mapping supervisors earn higher salaries than mapping technicians, with a $32,033 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on mapping technicians and mapping supervisors resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "gps," "civil 3d," and "map products.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, mapping technicians are more likely to have skills like "gis," "data collection," "spatial data," and "database software." But a mapping supervisor is more likely to have skills like "cad," "autocad," "hdd," and "status reports."

When it comes to education, mapping supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to mapping technicians. In fact, they're 4.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Mapping technician vs. Photogrammetric technician

Photogrammetric technicians average a higher salary than the annual salary of mapping technicians. The difference is about $26,540 per year.While their salaries may vary, mapping technicians and photogrammetric technicians both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "lidar," "base maps," and "aerial photographs. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between mapping technicians and photogrammetric technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a mapping technician might have more use for skills like "gis," "data collection," "spatial data," and "gps." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of photogrammetric technicians require skills like "extraction," "digital elevation models," "digital terrain models," and "radiometric. "

The average resume of photogrammetric technicians showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to mapping technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 9.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.

Types of mapping technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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