Cartographer salary
From 54 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 17-1021: Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
At a glance
- Mostly Level II (mid-level). 61% of Cartographer filings are Level II, compared with 42% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 6% since FY2020. From $74,000 in FY2020 to $78,707 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Cartographer H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 54 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Cartographer jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 17-1021, Cartographers and Photogrammetrists). The median base salary is $75,927, 38% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $68,512 and $91,500. The most common wage level is Level II (mid-level), at 61% of filings.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 39% of filings
Mid-level · 61% of filings
Senior · 0% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $65,650 | 15 |
| Level II · Qualified | $73,000 | 23 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Cartographer pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 1 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $91,925 | 10 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Cartographer does
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.
Typical tasks
- Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
- Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
- 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.
- Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.
- Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (17-1021.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Cartographers and Photogrammetrists), the median annual wage was $81,390 in May 2025, with 14,260 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $75,927, 7% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,339 | $53,740 |
| 25th percentile | $68,512 | $65,670 |
| Median | $75,927 | $81,390 |
| 75th percentile | $91,500 | $101,960 |
| 90th percentile | $117,300 | $126,950 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $60,339 |
| 25th | $68,512 |
| 50th (median) | $75,927 |
| 75th | $91,500 |
| 90th | $117,300 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $74,000 | $63,669 | $82,430 | 37 |
| FY2021 | $71,968 | $64,999 | $89,164 | 45 |
| FY2022 | $70,380 | $59,182 | $81,627 | 47 |
| FY2023 | $81,467 | $65,824 | $112,564 | 22 |
| FY2024 | $72,500 | $61,942 | $85,000 | 21 |
| FY2025 | $73,000 | $67,198 | $92,000 | 33 |
| FY2026 | $78,707 | $72,814 | $90,000 | 21 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Cartographer make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Cartographer jobs is $75,927 (54 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $68,512 and $91,500.
What does an entry-level Cartographer earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $65,650. Level I accounts for 39% of Cartographer filings.
Do H-1B Cartographers earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($75,927) is 7% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($81,390, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.