Cartographer

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior cartographer, leading a team on mapping projects.

As your career develops, you could apply for Chartered Geographer status, which recogises your professional skills and expertise in this field.

You could also move into:

• educational publishing
• cartographic collections management
• urban planning
• freelance cartographic consultancy

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of geography
• maths knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent written communication skills
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to work well with others
• concentration skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Geography - Cartographers need a deep understanding of physical and human geography to accurately represent landscapes, terrain, coastlines, and urban areas on maps. They work with geographical concepts daily – from interpreting landforms and river systems to understanding how human settlements and transport networks are organised across space.
• Mathematics - Cartographers use mathematics constantly when working with scale, projection systems, coordinates, and measurements. They calculate distances, plot positions of geographical features, and ensure maps are accurate representations of real-world dimensions.
• Computer Science - Cartographers use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to analyse, model, and visualise spatial data, and many roles require understanding of programming and data processing. Building queries, automating map production, and working with large geospatial datasets all draw on computational thinking and software skills.
• Art and Design - Cartographers design maps that need to be visually clear, attractive, and easy to read. They make decisions about colour, typography, symbols, and layout to communicate complex geographical information effectively in both 2D and 3D formats.

Also relevant

• Design and Technology - Cartographers use technical drawing skills and work with digital design tools to produce precise, detailed maps and charts. Understanding how to communicate information through well-structured visual designs helps them create maps that are both accurate and practical to use.
• Physics - Cartographers work with data from satellites, drones, and laser scanning equipment, all of which rely on principles like electromagnetic radiation, optics, and wave behaviour. Understanding how remote sensing technologies capture information about the Earth's surface helps them interpret and use this data correctly.
• Geology - Cartographers sometimes create geological maps or work with data about rock types, soil composition, and terrain. Understanding the physical structure of the Earth helps when mapping landscapes, coastal areas, and natural resources.
• Environmental Science - Cartographers often produce maps related to environmental topics such as land use change, flood risk, habitat distribution, and climate data. Understanding environmental systems helps them interpret the data they are mapping and present it in meaningful ways.