Cartographer
Role lens
Cartographers create maps by combining various scientific informations depending of the purpose of the map (e.g. topographic, urban, or political maps). They combine the interpretation of mathematical notes and measurements with the aesthetics and visual depiction of the site for developing the maps. They may also work on developing and improving geographic information systems and may perform scientific research within cartography.
Cartographers are skilled professionals who combine scientific data, mathematical measurements, and artistic principles to produce maps. Their work goes beyond simply depicting locations; it involves interpreting complex information and presenting it in a clear, visually appealing, and accurate format. They often utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and may conduct research to improve cartographic techniques and technologies.
- • Gathering and analyzing geographic data from various sources, including satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and survey measurements.
- • Designing and creating maps for diverse purposes, such as topographic, urban planning, political boundaries, and thematic representations.
- • Developing and improving Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance data management and map creation processes.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France and 4 more.
Longest-running shortage: Belgium, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $81,390 2025-05 | +6.4% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +35.5% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £45,673 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
Do you guide students, clients or employees? Use this occupation data in your organisation.
Future Outlook for cartographer
The outlook for cartographer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could cartographer change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
Most tasks here are AI-assistable rather than purely human-led.
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- apply digital mapping
- create thematic maps
- improve user-friendliness
Tasks most exposed to automation
- collect mapping data
- compile GIS-data
- create GIS reports
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Energy & Natural Resources
A typical day as a cartographer
09 09:00 · Morning draft legends
10 10:30 · Mid-morning improve user-friendliness
12 12:00 · Midday handle geospatial technologies
14 14:00 · Afternoon use geographic information systems
15 15:30 · Late afternoon apply digital mapping
17 17:00 · Wrap-up collect mapping data
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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collect mapping data
Collect and conserve mapping resources and mapping data.
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compile GIS-data
Gather and organise GIS-data from sources such as databases and maps.
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apply digital mapping
Make maps by formatting compiled data into a virtual image that gives a precise representation of a specific area.
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create thematic maps
Use various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.
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execute analytical mathematical calculations
Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
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use geographic information systems
Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
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handle geospatial technologies
Can use Geospatial Technologies which involve GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing) in the daily work.
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draft legends
Draft explanatory texts, tables or lists of symbols to make products such as maps and charts more accessible to users.
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improve user-friendliness
Research and test new methods to make a product such as a website or map easier to use and understand.
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create GIS reports
Use relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.
cartography
The study of interpreting the elements depicted in maps, the measures and technical specifications.
geographic information systems
The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).
topography
Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.
ICT system programming
The methods and tools required to develop system software, specifications of system architectures and interfacing techniques between network and system modules and components.
surveying methods
The fundamental principles and procedures of surveying applied to civil engineering, including remote sensing methods, and related equipment.
- empirical analysis
- geography
- geomatics
- mathematics
- desktop publishing
- geodesy
- geology
Path to become a cartographer
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
1,142 programmes in 30 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 104 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Msc Geospatial Eng & Data Mngt
Technological University Dublin · Ireland
Geographical Information Management and Applications (joint degree)
Universiteit Utrecht · the Netherlands
Postgraduate Diploma in Geographical Information Systems
University College Cork · Ireland
PG Cert Geospatial Engineering
Technological University Dublin · Ireland
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems
Munster Technological University · Ireland
These are 6 of 1,246.
Sources
- 1. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
- 2. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
- 3. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (collegescorecard.ed.gov), CC BY. Data as at 10/06/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does cartographer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a cartographer and a GIS specialist?
What kind of education is typically required to become a cartographer?
Are cartographers typically employed or do they work freelance?
How much does Cartographer pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data