Life As a Mapping Technician
Mapping Technician Job Description Calculate mapmaking information from field notes, and draw and verify accuracy of topographical maps.
Life As a Mapping Technician: What Do They Do?
- Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs.
- Identify and compile database information to create maps in response to requests.
- Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.
- Answer questions and provide information to the public or to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, or similar matters.
- Complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels.
- Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.
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What Every Mapping Technician Should Know
Mapping Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Types of Mapping Technician
- Photogrammetric Technician
- Cartographic Aide
- Mapping Supervisor
- Mapping Specialist
- Technical Illustrations Map Inker
What Kind of Mapping Technician Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 60,200 jobs for Mapping Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,400 new jobs for Mapping Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 7,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Mapping Technician are North Dakota, Utah, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Washington. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Mapping Technician Salary
The typical yearly salary for Mapping Technicians is somewhere between $27,360 and $74,110.

Mapping Technicians who work in California, Alaska, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Mapping Technicians make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $42,850 |
Alaska | $59,850 |
Arizona | $53,730 |
Arkansas | $43,000 |
California | $69,910 |
Colorado | $52,360 |
Connecticut | $58,360 |
Delaware | $42,010 |
Florida | $40,900 |
Georgia | $42,180 |
Hawaii | $48,300 |
Idaho | $45,090 |
Illinois | $55,410 |
Indiana | $41,030 |
Iowa | $48,590 |
Kansas | $43,350 |
Kentucky | $38,960 |
Louisiana | $44,540 |
Maine | $43,640 |
Maryland | $49,820 |
Massachusetts | $59,320 |
Michigan | $38,070 |
Minnesota | $55,170 |
Mississippi | $43,030 |
Missouri | $42,560 |
Montana | $49,120 |
Nebraska | $45,530 |
Nevada | $51,400 |
New Hampshire | $48,300 |
New Jersey | $49,800 |
New Mexico | $47,440 |
New York | $52,470 |
North Carolina | $43,800 |
North Dakota | $51,200 |
Ohio | $44,280 |
Oklahoma | $45,870 |
Oregon | $54,570 |
Pennsylvania | $47,600 |
Rhode Island | $53,980 |
South Carolina | $38,250 |
South Dakota | $39,180 |
Tennessee | $46,020 |
Texas | $42,740 |
Utah | $51,090 |
Vermont | $51,840 |
Virginia | $47,570 |
Washington | $51,100 |
West Virginia | $42,750 |
Wisconsin | $43,500 |
Wyoming | $47,870 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Mapping Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Mapping Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Database software
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Graphics software
- Bentley MicroStation
- ESRI ArcView
How to Become a Mapping Technician
What kind of Mapping Technician requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Mapping Technician?

Where Mapping Technicians Work

Below are examples of industries where Mapping Technicians work:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Mapping Technician may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Mapping Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Mike1979 Russia via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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