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Who is a Cartographer?
Maps encourage boldness. They’re like cryptic love letters. They make anything seem possible ~ Mark Jenkins
Ever wondered how Google Maps gets you from point A to point B? Or how your cab knows exactly where to pick you up? Behind all that precision are cartographers — the experts who turn complex geographical data into accurate, useful maps.
Cartographers collect and analyse data like population density, rainfall, and terrain patterns to create maps that guide, inform, and even save lives. From digital navigation to disaster response, their work shapes how we see and move through the world. If you are interested in geography, technology, and problem-solving, this could be the perfect career for you. In India, students can opt for integrated five-year programmes (like civil engineering + geo-technical engineering) to build a strong foundation in cartography.
Cartographer in a Nutshell
A cartographer creates and updates maps using data from sources like satellite images and surveys. They use GIS and CAD tools to ensure maps are accurate, clear, and suited to specific purposes such as urban planning or environmental monitoring. Their work supports sectors like government, tech, and environmental agencies by providing essential geographic information for decision-making.
Quick Facts for Cartographer
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Industry
Technology
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Average Salary in India
₹28333.33
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Suitable for
Male, Female
A career as a cartographer is preferable for anybody who wants to pursue his or her career in cartography. Both men and women can work as cartographers, it is suitable for all. If a person has the required skillsets and the right attitude, then there is no stopping.
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Any special needs
No
Anyone with strong critical and analytical reasoning skills can have a career as a cartographer. There are no limitations to choosing cartography as a career. Cartography is a desk job that can be done remotely without any physical movement or external effort. Hence, the job is a perfect fit for anyone who is specially-abled.
Table of Contents for Cartographer
What is the role of Cartographer?
Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer analyse and collect data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare thematic maps. In addition to this, a cartographer also prepares thematic maps in digital or graphic form to be used for social, environmental, political, business, educational, and design purposes.
In a career as a cartographer, individuals are involved with different aspects of map-making such as scientific, technological, and artistic. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer are required to represent complex information in the form of diagrams, pie charts, and spreadsheets, as well as in the form of conventional maps. So how to become a cartographer and what does it take to become one?
Developing processes
The Cartographer roles and responsibilities is to undertake various physical aspects into consideration before beginning the map design. During research, he or she is responsible for developing various processes and diagnosing methodologies in order to excel in the scope of cartography for the particular section. Developing is one of the most crucial parts of their job and responsibilities whether it is developing methodologies, procedures, samples, and other such things.
Study
One of the most important cartographer job description includes studying the project he or she is working on. A Cartographer is required to constantly study and remain updated at each and every step of the project. He or she is responsible for studying the project, its scope in land development, limitations, efficiency that the project exhibits, and the consequences related to the project. From the beginning to the end of the project, the cartographer is required to analyse each and every aspect of the research and ensure the resources utilised in the project are optimised at their best.
Consultation
The role of a Cartographer is to consult different professionals including other cartographers in order to meet certain requirements of the project they are working on. For instance, political cartographers are required to meet and consult several research scientists working on the same project as them.
Cultural cartographers are required to consult translators, language experts and professors in order to gain detailed information regarding the history or evolution of a particular language for a particular section of society.
Training
The cartographer roles and responsibilities involve teaching and guiding students with their interests and research around cartography. Various cartographers work as professors in universities guiding students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of cartography as a subject and further its application in career development. They also teach and train students interested in becoming cartographers. The cartography professors teach various subjects such as political cartography, physical cartography, cultural cartography, and educational cartography.
Types of a Cartographer
Here, in this article, we will discuss various types of cartographer or cartographer career options.
Geographer: A geographer is a professional who studies the earth and its land, features, and inhabitants. A geographer is also responsible for examining phenomena such as political or cultural structures as they relate to geography. He or she studies the physical or human geographic characteristics or both of a region, ranging in scale from local to global. Some geographers choose to do fieldwork, which may include travel to foreign countries or remote locations.
Cartographer: Cartographers can be termed as researchers who study human language, culture, societies, biological and material remains, and the biology and behaviour of primates. Cartography can be categorised into four major fields: biological cartography, cultural cartography, linguistic cartography, and archaeology. Read further to know how to become a cartographer in India and cartographer qualification.
What is the workplace/work environment of Cartographer like?
A career as a cartographer is very fickle. The work of cartographers depends on the specific job. Although most cartographers work in offices, some collect and analyse samples in laboratories or work in the field. Cartographers often work for cultural resource management firms. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer often do fieldwork, either in the United States or in foreign countries. During fieldwork, cartographers are expected to live with the people they study to know about their culture. The roles and responsibilities can involve irregular or sturdy living conditions and demanding physical exertion.
Does Cartographer require travelling?
Likely
In a career as a cartographer, when doing fieldwork, cartographers may be required to travel and work for several irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. In a career as a cartographer, individuals may travel around the world to uncover artefacts to aid in their research. The chances of cartographers travelling around are moderate.
Employment Shifts
Full Time, Part Time
In a career as a cartographer, those who work independently work according to their own timings as they do not have fixed work hours. Whereas, full-time cartographers work eight to nine hours a day with weekends off. Some also work on an hourly basis or work from home. They are usually consultants or work on a freelance basis.
Employment Nature
Contractual, Permanent
A career as a cartographer involves working on a contractual as well as a permanent basis. Cartographers might be required to work certain shifts. The one working for a particular organisation or industry usually works for 9 hours which regards regular shifts. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer in universities also work from nine in the morning to five in the evening. However, the cartographers who are in the research field have very arduous conditions.
Work Place
Laboratory, Office, universities
Those who work as a teacher and trainers spend their time in universities. Those who work for a particular organisation or company are required to work in offices. And those who are research-based employees are required to work in fields depending on the requirement of their work.
Presence in Geographical Area
Semi-urban
In a career as a cartographer, there are several opportunities that geology students can choose from. The major job profile for cartographers is teaching in educational institutes which are located in almost every tier-1 and tier-2 city in India. The other options are to make it to organisations such as art galleries, curators, publishing houses, NGOs, archives, and libraries which can also be found in almost every city in India. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer are usually located in urban areas where there are various students interested in studying cartography or geology or earth sciences.
Time Pressure
Likely
The work pressure in a career as cartographer is considered moderate. Cartographers usually work indoors in labs conducting their research and preparing designs for a particular project field. They are usually required to work at least 40 hours per week. They may sometimes work irregular hours to monitor experiments that can not be completed during regular working hours.
Overtime Details
In a career as a cartographer, individuals are usually required to work at least 40 hours per week. Sometimes, when the work pressure is more and they are required to accomplish a project in less time, their working hours may extend to 45-50 hours per week. They may also be required to work day, evening, or night shifts if working in production.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 45 Hours
In a career as a cartographer, individuals usually work for around 45 hours a week. Work hours can increase depending on the nature of the work or the project. If there is a deadline to be met for a company, cartographers sometimes work extra hours. Cartographers work overtime, depending upon the roles and responsibilities they are required to work for.
How to become a Cartographer?
Steps to become a Cartographer
If you are someone who is interested in how maps are designed and used, and if you are interested in surveying to gather the data necessary for the creation of maps and other spatial diagrams for various purposes, then a career as a cartographer is the best career for you. Below, we have listed some of the steps to becoming a cartographer in India.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Cartographer?
Are you wondering how to become a cartographer in India, cartographer qualification or cartographer salary in India? we will discuss all your queries in this article. But before that, you must know what are Cartographer skills required to function effectively. We have mentioned below the required skills needed in cartographer jobs.
Curiosity: Curiosity is one of the most crucial skills required for candidates to excel as a cartographer. There are various sections of human society that work towards the evolution of human races ranging from socio-cultural factors to economic, and biological factors. In order to understand and conquer the research in the relevant field, it is important for cartographers to be curious enough to know and understand a certain factor responsible for the development of mankind. One must possess the curiosity to understand different cultures and diversity.
Vision: Cartographers should possess a wide perspective towards the inscrutable world of variation. Cartographers are required to conduct various research across a wide range of geographical topics. They are required to have a wide perspective in order to ensure the efficiency of the project and the various sectors its scope works on. They must be able to visualise various conclusions available for a particular project in order to decide whether to go about a particular project or not.
Creativity: Cartographer is a profession that demands one to be creative and exhibit it in his/her work. The power of imagination is what one needs to succeed in this field. The ability to visualise a project, the capability to be open to new ideas or ways of looking at things, the curiosity to envision the potential in a place, the ability to imagine multiple scenarios, and most importantly, the ability to think three-dimensionally. These are a few creative skills that one needs to acquire in order to become a sage cartographer.
Managerial Skill: In a career as a cartographer, individuals are responsible for controlling, planning, and managing the overall strategy while working on any project. Therefore, one must be profound in planning and managing the complete process from starting to the end. As a cartographer, one must be able to plan and create an effective strategy, should have decision-making skills, leadership quality, and problem-solving skills, and should know how to manage time, and control and motivate the team while leading them.
Organising Skills: In addition to these, one must have excellent organisational skills i.e. one should be able to allocate and arrange resources for the successful implementation of the plan. It is one of the important managerial skills. It helps them to determine the list of pending tasks, combine them into jobs, and group the jobs into units giving a form to the organisation’s structure.
An Eye for Detail: As a cartographer, the job needs one to be precise and detail-oriented towards the work at hand. This skill helps one to notice small but important details that others might not notice. It is helpful to have an eye for detail while building a house. Paying attention to details is a skill that needs to be acquired and just like other skills, it requires diligent practice.
Analytical Skills: One must understand the concept of design and must be able to provide solutions to unanticipated challenges. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer must be able to collect and analyse information. Analytical skills are important while detecting patterns, integrating new information, theorising, and making decisions based on multiple factors and options available. It helps them to evaluate information and then make decisions that help solve problems. These skills might sound technical but these skills are used in everyday work.
Communication Skills: Being able to communicate properly not only helps professionally but also personally. Communication skills are what one needs to speak appropriately with a wide variety of people whilst maintaining good eye contact. It ensures that one is able to manage interactions, businesses and organisations. Having strong analytical skills is worthless if one cannot share his/her analysis with others.
As a cartographer, one must be an effective communicator who can explain the patterns that they observe in things around them. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer would be required to explain information orally in a meeting or presentation. Other times, one might be required to write a report. Hence, lacking communication skills is non-negotiable.
Also read: Career as GIS Expert
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Cartographer?
We have mentioned below several certificate courses that aspiring individuals may opt to upgrade their skills.
Internship Availability
Cartography apprenticeships are most appropriate for starting a career as a cartographer. There are various geographical or cartographical companies involved in construction that offer a variety of cartography apprenticeships to candidates studying earth science, Geographic Information Technologies, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Geography and Geology, Geomatics and Geoinformatics and Land Surveying.
To be considered for an intern position, candidates are required to be studying for a Master's, Bachelor's level of geosciences engineering degree or geoscience engineering courses. A candidate must have a cartography degree and an interest in engineering design related to environmental engineering. Candidates must possess strong interpersonal skills, effective in both verbal and written communication. Read further to know about a cartographer salary per month and how to become a cartographer in India.
Career Path Progression for Cartographer
Junior cartographer: After directly graduating from the relevant engineering field, he or she can start working as a junior cartographer in any of the various organisations. As a cartographer, you will collect and analyse geographical data such as population density, demographic characteristics, and precipitation patterns. A cartographer analyses and collects data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare thematic maps.
Senior cartographer: Cartographers might spend most of their time working in the office or they might be required to typically do some fieldwork in order to collect and verify data used in creating maps. A cartographer is responsible to control, plan, and manage the overall strategy while working on any project. Therefore, one must be profound in planning and managing the complete process from starting to the end. As a cartographer, one must be able to plan and create an effective strategy, should have decision-making skills, leadership quality, and problem-solving skills, and should know how to manage time, and control and motivate the team while leading them.
Cartographer Jobs and Salaries
Cartographer intern
Contractual
- Average Salary 10000
- Junior Level Salary 5000
- Senior Level Salary 15000
Job Description
Cartographer interns are required to be studying for a Master's, Bachelor's level of geosciences engineering degree or geoscience engineering courses. A cartographer intern must possess genuine interest in engineering design related to environmental engineering. As a cartographer intern, they are required to represent complex information in the form of diagrams, pie charts, and spreadsheets, as well as in the form of conventional maps.
Salary Description
For entry-level positions, cartographer interns can expect an average total compensation of Rs. 5,000 per month. Interns studying Masters can expect a salary of Rs. 10,000 per month. The top-level salary for a cartographer intern is Rs. 15,000 per month.
Junior cartographer
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 30000
- Junior Level Salary 20000
- Senior Level Salary 45000
Job Description
After directly graduating from the relevant engineering field, he/she can start working as a junior cartographer in any of the various organisations. As a cartographer, you’ll collect and analyse geographical data such as population density, demographic characteristics, and precipitation patterns. A cartographer analyses and collects data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare thematic maps.
Salary Description
The average total compensation offered to an entry-level junior cartographer is somewhere between Rs. 20,000 per month. The average salary for junior cartographer after gaining some experience in the industry is expected between Rs. 30,000 per month. The top-level salary for a junior cartographer is somewhere around Rs. 45,000 per month which includes tips, bonuses, and overtime pay.
Senior cartographer
- Average Salary 45000
- Junior Level Salary 30000
- Senior Level Salary 90000
Job Description
Cartographers might spend most of their time working in an office or they might be required to typically do some fieldwork in order to collect and verify data used in creating maps. A cartographer is responsible to control, plan, and manage the overall strategy while working on any project. Therefore, one must be profound in planning and managing the complete process from starting to the end. As a cartographer, one must be able to plan and create an effective strategy, should have decision-making skills, leadership quality, problem-solving skills, should know how to manage time, how to control and motivate the team while leading them.
Salary Description
The average total compensation offered to an entry-level senior cartographer is somewhere between Rs. 30,000 per month. The average salary for senior cartographer after gaining some experience in the industry is expected between Rs. 45,000 per month. The top-level salary for a senior cartographer is somewhere around Rs. 90,000 per month which includes tips, bonuses, and overtime pay.
What is the job outlook for Cartographer?
Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer can find good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Candidates in geoscience and geology courses or civil engineering have seen exponential growth of up to 24 per cent in employment during the past decade, over and above its reported total. This results in making civil engineering the biggest employment hub in the sector.
As a cartographer, one can find diverse career options in several government agencies at all levels. It is important to get related work experience and one can start while still a student by attending open days at various construction facilities organised by different national laboratories and research centres to witness what the work’s like and to talk to employees. Another way to gain experience would be to join a research site as part of an industrial placement for one’s degree. Other than formal placements, part-time work is not usually available during the various relevant engineering degrees.
However, one may be able to gain experience or part-time work with the offshore construction side of a large research project construction organisation that is involved in the industry, which would provide an advantage later on. All the geological and geosciences companies will expect their employees to keep up with new development. Read further to know more about how to become a cartographer in India and the cartographer qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions for Cartographer
Que. What does a cartographer do on a daily basis?
Ans.As a cartographer, one is required to collect and analyse geographical data such as population density, demographic characteristics, and precipitation patterns. A cartographer analyses and collects data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs and satellite images to prepare thematic maps. In addition to this, a cartographer also prepares thematic maps in digital or graphic form to be used for social, environmental, political, business, educational, and design purposes.
Que. What hours does a cartographer work?
Ans.Cartographers who work in the field do not limit to the usual 9 to 5 a.m. as they require to travel and explore more. Many cartographers work full-time in classrooms, universities and offices and do not work beyond the prescribed number of hours.
Que. Where do cartographers work?
Ans.Depending on the kind of job they are assigned, they work in large corporations such as Intel and GM or study primates in Africa. They also work in deserts, cities, schools, and even underwater geology sites.
Que. What jobs can you get with a degree in geology or earth sciences?
Ans.After studying geology or earth science engineering, students can choose to become cartographers, curators, GIS experts, geographers,and other such jobs.
Que. Is there a demand for cartographers?
Ans.Employment of cartographers and curators is projected to grow 10 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.
Que. Is cartography a good career?
Ans.Yes, cartography is a good career. A cartographer salary per month is around Rs. 15,000 to 30,000 and after some years of expertise, the cartographer salary per month will be Rs. 50,000 and more.
Que. What should I study to become Cartographer?
Ans.To become a cartographer you are required to study BSc Geography, BA Geography and BTech in Geoinformatics.
Que. What is the highest paid Cartographer?
Ans.The highest-paid cartographer earns Rs 5.6 Lakhs per year (Rs 46.7 thousand per month) according to the AmbitionBox.
Que. What are the top masters degree one can pursue in order to become a cartographer?
Ans.M.E./M.Tech. Geotechnical Engineering (PG course), Earth sciences, Geographic information technologies, Geographical information systems (GIS), Geography and geology and Land surveying.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
Mercator projection (1569) revolutionised sea navigation.
Fact 2
India’s first modern map was drawn in 1792 by James Rennell.
Fact 3
Survey of India (1767) is among the world’s oldest mapping agencies.
Fact 4
Cartography jobs in India are growing at over 15% annually.
Fact 5
Great Trigonometrical Survey (1802) led to Mount Everest’s height discovery.
