Career Details
Career Details
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Career Details

17-1021.00 - Cartographers and Photogrammetrists


Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
12,300
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
15,900
Estimate
Change in Employment
+3,600
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+29.3%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.
  • Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.
  • Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.
  • Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
  • Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.
  • Determine map content and layout, as well as production specifications such as scale, size, projection, and colors, and direct production to ensure that specifications are followed.
  • Examine and analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics, and related charts.
  • Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
  • Build and update digital databases.
  • Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.
  • Study legal records to establish boundaries of local, national, and international properties.
Supplemental
  • Select aerial photographic and remote sensing techniques and plotting equipment needed to meet required standards of accuracy.
  • Determine guidelines that specify which source material is acceptable for use.
  • Travel over photographed areas to observe, identify, record, and verify all relevant features.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Geography
  • 90%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 84%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 English Language
  • 71%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Design
  • 67%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Mathematics
  • 67%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 58%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 57%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Education and Training
  • 55%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Administration and Management
  • 53%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Law and Government
  • 52%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Aerospace location and navigation systems and components
  • Aerial imagery mapping-grade global positioning systems GPS
 Computer printers
  • Analytical stereoplotters
  • Color inkjet plotters
  • Digital image printers
  • Large-format plotters
  • Laser printers
 Cameras
  • Color digital camera systems
  • Digital camcorders
  • Large-format aerial digital cameras
  • Panoramic digital line cameras
 Drafting supplies
  • Compasses
  • Dividers
  • Drafting instruments
  • Drafting machines
  • French curves
  • Protractors
  • Scales
  • T-squares
  • Templates
  • Triangles
  • Type lettering sets
 Computers
  • Computer servers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Windows servers
 Computer data input devices
  • Digitizers
  • Photogrammetric scanners
  • Scanners
 Photographic processing equipment
  • Film processors and editors
  • Photo enlargers
 Audio and visual equipment
  • Geodetic ground global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Mapping grade global positioning system GPS receivers
 Radar and sonar systems and components
  • Laser imaging detection and ranging LIDAR systems
  • Remote sensing equipment
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
 Development software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
  • Extensible markup language XMLHOT
  • JavaScript Object Notation JSONHOT
  • Microsoft Visual BasicHOT
  • PythonHOT
  • Software development tools
  • Standardized general markup language SGML
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flash Player
  • Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Aldus FreeHand
  • Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
  • Corporate Montage CADScript
  • Desktop publishing software
  • Image processing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Quark Immedia
  • QuarkXPress
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Steroplotter software
  • Word processing software
 Information exchange software
  • Aerotriangulation adjustment software
  • Bentley Systems InRoads Suite
  • Digital mapping software
  • Email software
  • ERDAS ER Mapper
  • ESRI ArcGIS softwareHOT
  • ESRI ArcInfo
  • ESRI ArcView
  • ESRI software
  • Geographic information system GIS softwareHOT
  • Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
  • Hexagon Intergraph
  • Intergraph ImageStation Stereo Softcopy Kit SSK
  • MapInfo
  • Mapping software
  • Mapthematics GeoCart
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
  • Precision analytical aerotriangulation pugging software
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Bentley MicrostationHOT
  • Boeing Kork Digital Mapping
  • Boeing SoftPlotter
  • Computer aided design CAD softwareHOT
  • Cosmo Software Cosmo WorldHOT
  • Image analysis software
  • Leica AEROPLAN LiDAR
  • MultiGen Paradigm Vega PrimeHOT
  • RSI ENVI
  • Terrasolid TerraScan
 Data management and query software
  • Autodesk World
  • Digital databases
  • Master Seafloor Digital Database
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Oracle softwareHOT
  • Rand McNally World Digital Database
  • SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise
  • Structured query language SQLHOT
  • World Vector Shoreline
 Networking software
  • IBM iSeries Access
 Network applications software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
 Operating environment software
  • Microsoft operating system
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Product/Equipment
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Brightpoint Community College
Mountain Empire Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
Paul D. Camp Community College
Radford University
Southside Virginia Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College
Tidewater Community College