Cartographer

Cartographers select, design and compile maps and charts from original source material, such as aerial photographs, seismic sensing and existing maps and statistics.

Also known as:

Map maker

Work activities

Cartographers design and prepare maps, plans, charts, models and globes that represent the surface of the Earth or other planets. They collect and use data from a range of sources such as:

Aerial photographs.
Images produced by electrostatic mapping and seismic sensing.
Existing maps and statistics.

Cartographers incorporate the graphics that they produce into Geographical Information Systems (GIS). As well as preparing new maps, cartographers change existing maps. Maps appear in many different places. For example, they could be in printed form, on a TV screen, used for satellite navigation systems, or on the internet on a route planner. Cartographers deal with a range of mapping projects. They may prepare maps showing population distribution, the layout of ancient cities or even the Moon’s surface. The type of map depends on the employer’s or customer’s requirements.

Personal qualities and skills

As a cartographer, you’ll need:

An understanding and knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Good IT skills.
An eye for design.
An interest in and appreciation of maps and charts.
A good general knowledge of geography.
To be an accurate worker with a keen eye for detail.
Some knowledge of surveying.
Good maths skills.

For cartographers who want to work overseas, knowledge of a second language would be useful.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries vary depending on employer and level of responsibility. Cartographers earn in the range of £18,000, rising to £45,000 with experience and seniority.

Cartographers typically work 39-41 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Occasionally, you may need to work late, especially as deadlines approach.

Demand for cartographers is steady. However, this is a small industry so competition for places is strong.

Short-term contracts are becoming increasingly common.

Employers are government departments such as Ordnance Survey, the Hydrographic Office, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Meteorological Office. Other organisations that employ cartographers include the Forestry Commission, local authorities, commercial publishing houses and motoring organisations. Opportunities for cartographers occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. The British Cartographic Society website also lists some vacancies.

Entry routes and training

You usually enter this work by doing a suitable degree course related to subjects such as cartography, earth sciences, geography, mapping science, oceanography or topographic science. The British Cartographic Society website has a list of courses that include an element of cartography or a closely related subject. It is sometimes possible to start in an entry-level position such as mapping technician and be trained on-the-job.

After graduating, you will usually need to be taken on by a company or government department and then be trained while working. A postgraduate qualification is useful in this competitive field. The British Cartographic Society website has a list of postgraduate courses which include some element of cartography within their content.

A number of apprenticeship programmes are also available. These include:

Geospatial survey technician (level 3 / advanced)
Geospatial mapping and science specialist (level 6 / degree)

These programmes give you the opportunity to learn on the job while studying towards relevant qualifications as you work. The level 6 apprenticeship will lead to a degree, with fees paid by your employer.

Progression often depends on the type of organisation you’re working for. Within local authorities, there is a structured set of promotion routes.

Qualifications

To enter a degree course in an appropriate subject, you will usually need:

Two to three A-levels. Maths and/or geography are useful.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A-level subjects.
A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English, and maths (if not offered at A level).

Other qualifications are often acceptable as alternatives to A levels, for example:

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

Cartography and mapping science are often studied in combination with other subjects. Therefore, entry requirements vary considerably, so check university prospectuses for more details.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: 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.

Relevant draughting skills can be useful. Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems is also useful.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND 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.

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