Cartographer Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Your work could include:

• using desktop publishing and specialist computer software
• producing and editing maps, for example, adding colour, symbols and scales
• checking maps and charts are accurate and to scale
• collecting and analysing data from remote sensors, satellites and other sources
• working closely with surveyors and designers
• using geographical information systems (GIS) to model and analyse landscape features
• using digital photogrammetric equipment to plot the heights and positions of geographical features from aerial photographs
• carrying out topographic (land) and hydrographic (marine) surveys.

With experience, you might also manage projects and staff.

Hours

You would typically work standard office hours, Monday to Friday. You may sometimes have to work longer to meet deadlines for publication or finishing a project.

You would be office-based and spend much of your time working with computer technology.

Income

Starting salaries are around £18,000 to £22,000 a year.

With experience, earnings can be around £30,000 to £45,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To work as a cartographer, you will usually need a degree in one of the following subjects:

• geography
• geographical information systems (GIS)
• surveying and mapping science
• topographic science
• earth sciences
• urban and land studies.

These subjects often include mapping as part of the course. Other useful degree subjects are surveying, civil engineering, oceanography or computing.

To work in the more specialised areas of cartography, such as remote sensing, you may increase your chances by taking a further postgraduate qualification in GIS or another mapping-related subject.

Visit the Education and Training section of the British Cartographic Society's website for a list of cartography-related degrees and postgraduate courses.

• British Cartographic Society

Training and development

You will be trained on the job in a range of specialist surveying techniques and computer packages. Larger employers, such as government departments, often run structured training schemes lasting from six months to two years.

You could also take short courses in subjects like photogrammetry, GIS, digital mapping and map design. The Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society and several universities offer various useful short courses.

You may be able to progress further by taking a relevant Master's degree. Your employer may provide sponsorship for postgraduate study.

See the Society of Cartographers' and the British Cartographic Society websites for details of membership and networking opportunities.

Skills and knowledge

To be a cartographer, you should have:

• a keen interest in geography and the environment
• excellent computer and mathematical skills
• design skills
• good spatial awareness
• the ability to analyse information from different sources
• patience
• a logical approach
• a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

More information

British Cartographic Society
www.cartography.org.uk

Society of Cartographers
www.soc.org.uk

Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society
www.rspsoc.org

Opportunities

The government is one of the main employers of cartographers, in departments including Ordnance Survey, the Ministry of Defence, the Met Office and the Department of Transport.

You could also work for local authority planning departments, oil and utilities companies, universities, commercial map publishers and the British Geological Survey. With experience you could work freelance, although you would need your own mapping equipment for this.

Jobs are usually advertised in the national press and specialist industry journals and websites. Vacancies in government departments are also on the Civil Service website.

• Civil Service

You may find the following useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):

• British Cartographic Society Job Opportunities
• Society of Cartographers Vacancies
• Earthworks
• GPS World
• Geomatics World
• Go-Geo!

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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