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Mapping Technician

Overview and Key Facts

man in field with GPS signal device
Education
Education
Associate's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$51,940
Job Growth
Job Growth
4.50%
(US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
62,100

What Do They Do?

A mapping technician could...

 
landslide on road
Take exact measurements of a landslide to help engineers assess damaged roads.
digital map
Convert paper maps to digital maps for more convenient searching and use.
GPS survey unit collecting data
Collect GPS (Global Positioning System) field data for use in making a mining operations map.
neighborhood
Create a map of a new subdivision using aerial photographs.
 
landslide on road digital map GPS survey unit collecting data neighborhood

Overview Listen to this section

Essential members of any construction team include mapping and surveying technicians—the "instrument people"—who set up and operate special equipment that measures distances, curves, elevations, and angles between points on Earth's surface. These technicians then take the data gathered by the instruments and create maps and charts on a computer. About half of their work is spent in hands-on, high-technology data collection in the field, while the other half is spent in an office—they get to experience both worlds and create documents that define, in great detail, places on Earth.
Watch this video to see to see how new GIS mapping technology helps people see wildfire risks, win elections, fight wars, reveal genocides, and predict the impact of global warming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdQjc30YPOk

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Mapping Technician?


  1. Reading Comprehension: ?
  2. Critical Thinking: ?
  3. Mathematics: ?
  4. Active Listening: ?
  5. Speaking: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Mapping Technician might do:
  • Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
  • 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.
  • Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.
  • Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.
  • Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.
  • Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.
  • Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.
  • Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.
  • Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.
  • Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.
  • Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.
  • Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.
  • Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.
  • Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes.
  • Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.
  • Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.
  • Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors.
  • Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.
  • Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments.
  • Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.
  • Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures or adjustments, azimuths, level runs, or placement of markers.
  • Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects.
  • Prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.
  • Record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings.
  • Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points.
  • Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.
  • Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Mapping Technician Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Mapping Technician jobs (4.50%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Mapping Technician

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Associate's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Most employers prefer to hire applicants with an associate's or bachelor's degree in surveying or engineering technology where they have received training in drafting, surveying, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cartography, and computer science. New hires train with more experienced technicians.

Companies That Hire Mapping Technicians

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Nature of the Work

Mapping technicians, who may also be known as surveying technicians, perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of a surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, map making, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. They may calculate map making 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. They may also verify the accuracy and completeness of topographical maps.

Work Environment

Mapping technicians, also known as surveying technicians, usually work an 8-hour day, five days a week and may spend a lot of time outdoors. Sometimes, they work longer hours during the summer, when weather and light conditions are most suitable for fieldwork. Construction-related work may be limited during times of inclement weather.

Mapping technicians engage in active, sometimes strenuous, work. They often stand for long periods of time, walk considerable distances, and climb hills with heavy packs of instruments and other equipment. They also can be exposed to all types of weather. Traveling is sometimes part of the job, and surveying and mapping technicians may commute long distances, be away from home overnight, or temporarily relocate near a survey site. Mapping technicians also work indoors while analyzing data and when preparing reports and maps.

More Information

Ask Questions

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Additional Resources

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