Cartographers and Photogrammetrists salary in California
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in California earn a median of $102,780 a year ($49.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,490 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $81,390. California ranks 1st of 41 states for cartographers and photogrammetrists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.08 cartographers and photogrammetrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $103,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cartographers and photogrammetrists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| 25th percentile | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Median | $102,780 | $49.41 |
| 75th percentile | $131,470 | $63.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,490 | $65.14 |
| Average (mean) | $103,690 | $49.85 |
Half of cartographers and photogrammetrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,565 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,282.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,953.08 |
| Weekly | $1,976.54 |
| Hourly | $49.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,820 | 200 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $130,710 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $125,330 | 330 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $101,480 | 300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $100,550 | 130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $91,600 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for cartographers and photogrammetrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $102,780 |
| Minnesota | $99,850 |
| Washington | $96,100 |
| Nevada | $93,560 |
| Massachusetts | $92,230 |
| New York | $89,290 |
| Alaska | $89,170 |
| New Jersey | $88,480 |
| Oregon | $88,240 |
| Colorado | $86,960 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $108,540 | $52.19 |
| Surveyor | $105,330 | $50.64 |
| Landscape Architect | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Industrial Engineer | $124,600 | $59.90 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $130,900 | $62.94 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Electrical Engineer | $144,040 | $69.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $185,180 | $89.03 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,620 | $75.78 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,480 | $38.69 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-1021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cartographers and photogrammetrists make in California?
The median salary for cartographers and photogrammetrists in California is $102,780 a year, or $49.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cartographers and photogrammetrists make in California?
The top 10% of cartographers and photogrammetrists in California earn at least $135,490 a year. The top 25% earn $131,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for cartographers and photogrammetrists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,080 a year, and a quarter of cartographers and photogrammetrists earn $75,370 or less.
How many cartographers and photogrammetrists work in California?
About 1,450 cartographers and photogrammetrists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.