Cartographer

Also known as:

Map Maker

Introduction

Cartographers produce and update maps, plans, charts and models. They have a variety of uses, for example to represent the surface of the Earth, or to show the population distribution of a city.

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Work Activities

Cartographers design and prepare maps, plans, charts, 3D models and web designs to represent geographical features, varying in scale from the surface of the Earth to the road plan of a single village.

They collect and analyse data from a range of sources such as: satellite and aerial photographs and existing maps and statistics.

Cartographers also frequently use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to produce graphics which allow them to model and analyse geographical information.

The cartographer evaluates the data and designs the map adding colour, symbols and scales to help users to understand the information they contain. As well as preparing new maps, cartographers change and update existing maps.

Cartographers deal with a range of projects, from road maps and atlases for tourists to use to plan their journeys at home or abroad, through to weather maps and specialist maps for navigation at sea. The type of map depends on the employer or customer.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a cartographer you need to have patience, as it may take many months to complete a single sheet map. You need a sense of design, an interest in geography and the environment and ability in maths.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries vary depending on employer and level of responsibility.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Cartographers earn in the range of £18,000 - £24,500 a year, rising to £26,500 - £29,500. Higher earners can make around £33,000 a year.

Cartographers work a basic 42-hour week, Monday to Friday. Occasionally, you may need to work late, especially as deadlines approach.

Most opportunities are with government departments such as Ordnance Survey, the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), the Department of the Environment and the Meteorological Office.

Other organisations that employ cartographers include the Forestry Commission, local authorities, commercial publishing houses, motoring organisations, the exploration departments of oil companies and, sometimes, the Scottish Government.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Taking a postgraduate course in a cartography-related subject can be an advantage, following a general degree subject such as geography.

• 10% of people in occupations such as cartographer work part-time.
• 21% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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