Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Cartographer
What cartographers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a cartographer?
Download new imagery. From there, the day usually includes collect geographic data, analyze imagery, and build GIS layers. Full-time business hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a cartographer working full time.
- Download new imagery.
- Digitize roads.
- Process lidar data.
- Design a map layout.
- Build a web map.
- Check accuracy.
- Document metadata.
Where cartographers work
Cartographers work in offices, often remotely, with some field work.
Hours and schedule
Full-time business hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Collect geographic data
- Analyze imagery
- Build GIS layers
- Design maps
- Update maps
- Check accuracy
- Create web maps
Tools you’ll use every day
- ArcGIS Pro
- QGIS
- Python
- Lidar software
- GPS
- Adobe Illustrator
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Remote options
- Mix of tech and design
- Many industries
What’s hard
- Desk-heavy
- Detail-intensive
- Software changes
- Small field
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love maps
- I like data
- I have a design eye
- I like technology
- I want remote options
- I’m detail-oriented
Not sure? Take the free Cartographer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use ergonomic setups
- Follow field safety
- Protect sensitive data
- Document sources