Cartographic Technician Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Cartographic Technician

Best Schools to become a Cartographic Technician in U.S. 2024

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park, PA

In-State Tuition:$15,054
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,054
Admission Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:36%
Total Enrollment:13,979

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA

In-State Tuition:$11,189
Out-of-State Tuition:$39,687
Admission Rate:48%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:52,319

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR

In-State Tuition:$10,425
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,200
Admission Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:70%
Total Enrollment:34,292

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

In-State Tuition:$4,477
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,694
Admission Rate:23%
Graduation Rate:90%
Total Enrollment:55,211

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Scottsdale, AZ

In-State Tuition:$10,978
Out-of-State Tuition:$13,248
Admission Rate:64%
Graduation Rate:52%
Total Enrollment:62,551

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

In-State Tuition:$63,468
Out-of-State Tuition:$63,468
Admission Rate:12%
Graduation Rate:92%
Total Enrollment:48,945
Cartographic Technician Job Description:
  • Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes.
  • May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features.
  • May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Cartographic Technician

Job Duties for Cartographic Technicians

  • Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.

  • Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.

  • Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.

Technologies and Skills Used by Cartographic Technicians

Analytical or scientific software

  • Coordinate geometry COGO software
  • Triton Elics International Isis

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Bentley MicroStation

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Reading work related information
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Cartographic Technician

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Cartographic Technician

FAQs About Becoming a Cartographic Technician