How Much Does a Cartographer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$81,390
Cartographers in the U.S. earn a median of $81,390 a year, or $39.13 an hour. Half of cartographers earn more than $81,390 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $126,950.
Pay percentiles for cartographers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25.84 | $53,740 |
| 25th | $31.57 | $65,670 |
| 50th (median) | $39.13 | $81,390 |
| 75th | $49.02 | $101,960 |
| 90th | $61.03 | $126,950 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for cartographers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $102,780 | $49.41 | +26% |
| Minnesota | $99,850 | $48.00 | +23% |
| Washington | $96,100 | $46.20 | +18% |
| Nevada | $93,560 | $44.98 | +15% |
| Massachusetts | $92,230 | $44.34 | +13% |
| New York | $89,290 | $42.93 | +10% |
| Alaska | $89,170 | $42.87 | +10% |
| New Jersey | $88,480 | $42.54 | +9% |
| Oregon | $88,240 | $42.42 | +8% |
| Colorado | $86,960 | $41.81 | +7% |
| United States | $81,390 | $39.13 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many cartographers are there?
BLS counts about 14,260 cartographers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Cartographers and Photogrammetrists”. The most jobs are in Texas (1,780), California (1,450) and Colorado (1,220).
The mean (average) annual wage is $86,690, higher than the median of $81,390.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,783
- Biweekly
- $3,130
- Weekly
- $1,565
- Daily (8 hours)
- $313
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do cartographers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for cartographers is $39.13. The middle 50% earn between $31.57 and $49.02 an hour.
Which state pays cartographers the most?
California has the highest median wage for cartographers at $102,780, +26% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for cartographers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of cartographers earn less than $53,740 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.