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Cartography, or mapmaking, is a unique blend of art and science. It has been used since before humans even knew the earth was round. In ancient times, cartographers were charting landscapes and oceans for the first time, and navigators used their maps to explore new places. Today, cartographers start with the existing data of the known world and then layer it with socioeconomic, environmental, and even artistic layers to deliver highly powerful and visually compelling maps that serve as tools for decision-makers.
This guide will provide additional information on cartography, trends in the discipline, and what you can expect when pursuing a career in the field.
What Are Cartographers? What Do They Do?
A cartographer is a mapmaker. In many ways, modern cartography is a blend of geography and graphic design.
By the twentieth century, most of the globe was “mapped” in the traditional sense. We’ve long known where the major land masses, topographic features, and coastlines are, as well as human-made structures like roads and buildings. So, while modern cartography no longer involves physically measuring and charting unknown places, there are plenty of new phenomena and data that can be overlaid in spatial software to tell new stories.
Cartographers are employed by government agencies, including branches of the military, to map dynamic situations in vital areas, weather and climate conditions, or socioeconomic and political realities (think election maps). Private companies also hire cartographers to map their customer distribution, supply chain, real estate holdings, and environmental footprint.
Trends in Cartography
Truth be told, it is rare to find a pure cartographer position any longer. In addition to cartographic design chops, modern companies and agencies expect individuals to possess geospatial analysis and data management skills. Mapmaking often requires not only a visual component but a deep understanding of the pertinent data to make decisions about scale, color schemes, and visual hierarchy (or prioritization of components based on audience needs).
It’s not that cartography is in decline. In fact, maps are used online, by the media, and in popular culture more than ever. The maps that are now part of articles and websites have dynamic and interactive components that allow users to engage with material like never before. This means cartographers need to stay up to date on technical skills, including proficiencies with software like ArcGIS, QGIS, Adobe’s Illustrator and Photoshop, and even programming and coding.
Cartography can also be a very artistic field. People feel a deep connection to maps; choices made when designing them can evoke emotions and tell stories. Digital cartography tools are enabling more and more detail and customization, leading small businesses and designers to leverage the power of cartography in their marketing materials and art.
Many cartographers provide services on a freelance basis, enabling them to make maps across various industries. Individuals who require a one-off map for a project are more likely to hire a one-time freelancer than a full-time employee, so self-employed cartographers are becoming more common.
The Process of Becoming a Cartographer
There are many ways to pursue a career in cartography. There are a few key steps that will get you on your way.
Step 1: Obtain a relevant education
To start a cartography career, it is recommended to pursue a degree in geography, geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, or even urban planning. Academia provides the fundamental principles needed to understand how to make accurate and meaningful maps.
Such an education will include learning about theory (i.e., spatial reasoning) and applied techniques (i.e., GIS software and technology). Outside the confines of a classroom, engage in research and training to better understand the needs of map users and best practices for cartographic design.
Step 2: Develop a portfolio
Education is a great first step, but employers and clients expect to see your work before hiring you for a cartography position. Fortunately, this can be achieved without major financial investment. Download open-source software (i.e., QGIS) and practice making maps with publicly available data.
Ask friends or family for prompts or get inspiration from professional networks. Challenge yourself to try new techniques and styles. There is even the 30DayMapChallenge, initiated by the Finnish geographer Topi Tjukanov, that is held in November. Cartographers from around the globe participate. It’s a great framework to explore new map styles, think outside the box, and bolster your portfolio.
Step 3: Attend conferences
Participating in community events can make all the difference when seeking a job in the industry, especially if you’re still in school and able to obtain a student discount on attendance fees. Not only can you meet with other professionals and build your network, but the workshops and seminars held at these trade shows and conferences can introduce the newest technologies, which is very important in building skills.
Conferences include the Esri User Conference (as well as those of local chapters); FOSS4G (the annual conference for Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial, sponsored by OSGeo), both international and North American; and GIS-Pro (sponsored by the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association [URISA], the association for GIS professionals).
Obtaining certifications can also boost credentials. Geographic information systems professional (GISP) certification, sponsored by the GIS Certification Institute, is a popular badge requiring portfolio submissions, experience, education, and an exam verifying your skillset. It is completely optional, and though it is not required for most cartography jobs, it does show a level of dedication to the craft that is widely respected in the community.
Job Outlook for Cartographers
US News and World Report suggests that the field of cartography will experience growth of 6.3 percent between 2023 and 2033, resulting in ~800 new jobs. They also report a very low unemployment rate (1.3 percent).
Keep in mind that the role of cartographer is just one of the many GIS job titles; in fact, most cartography roles fall within a larger GIS umbrella, so be on the lookout for GIS roles such as analyst, specialist, administrator, etc., that include cartography as a skillset in the description. These jobs may include interactive web map building and graphic design.
Cartographer Salary: How Much Do Cartographers Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the mean annual wage for cartographers to be $78,810, while Glassdoor estimates a median of $69,000. Naturally, these figures are impacted by a variety of factors. Many cartographers work for the federal government or military and are therefore subject to the governmental pay scale, whereas the salary for cartographers at private companies can be drastically different.
Salaries are also impacted by experience, niche, location, and certifications. If you possess a highly specialized certificate or education (e.g., an engineering degree or a GISP) or more in-demand tech skills (e.g., Python or JavaScript), you may qualify for higher compensation, which might also be based on the cost of living in an area.
Cartography is a deeply rewarding career, one that balances creativity and calculation, science and sentiment. If you’re detail-oriented, spatially minded, and willing to keep up with quickly evolving technology, it might just be the career for you.