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Cartographer

Alternative titles for this job include

Cartographers collect information and data about the geography of an area to create maps, charts and plans.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm Mon to Fri

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • the armed forces

University

You can take a degree in a subject that includes data gathering and analysis, such as:

  • geography
  • geographical information systems (GIS)
  • land surveying
  • earth sciences
  • oceanography
  • meteorology

Employers may also accept degrees in other subjects like computer science, software engineering or graphic design.

A postgraduate qualification may help you to find work in a specialist field of cartography like GIS.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to an organisation to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Geospatial Survey Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You may be able to start as a trainee cartographic or GIS technician and work your way up through training and promotion.

Employers may want you to have:

  • an apprenticeship in geospatial surveying or similar field
  • A levels in geography, mathematics or computing
  • a qualification equivalent to A level standard, for example a diploma in applied science

Other Routes

You can apply to become a geographic technician with the Army, or join the Royal Air Force and train as an aviation data analyst (air cartographer).

At the end of your service, you could use your experience to find work in commercial cartography and mapping.

More Information

Career tips

You can find opportunities to work as a cartographer in the public and private sector with:

  • Ordnance Survey
  • local and national government departments
  • transport companies
  • mapping and publishing companies
  • surveying and energy companies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Cartographic Society for networking, information resources and career development support.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in cartography from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of geography
  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to work well with others
  • concentration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a cartographer, you could:

  • analyse data from sensors on drones, planes and satellites
  • survey areas using laser scanning methods and 360-degree cameras
  • design 2D and 3D maps in different formats
  • check maps and charts are accurate and to scale
  • edit maps to capture changes to roads, buildings and landmarks
  • use GIS to analyse and model landscapes
  • plot the heights and positions of geographical features from photographs
  • carry out surveys of land, sea or coastal areas

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior cartographer, leading a team on mapping projects.

As your career develops, you could apply for Chartered Geographer status, which recogises your professional skills and expertise in this field.

You could also move into:

  • educational publishing
  • cartographic collections management
  • urban planning
  • freelance cartographic consultancy

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Geospatial Mapping and Science Apprenticeship Degree (Level 6)

  • Wage: £22,000 a year Annually
  • Location: TATTON STREET, KNUTSFORD

Land Surveying Degree Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £18,000 a year Annually
  • Location: 163 165 Ranelagh Road, Ipswich
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

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