RateOrchard
METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists salary in San Francisco, California

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the San Francisco metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$122,740
Mean annual$122,360
Range (10th to 90th)$90,880 to $135,330
San Francisco, California employment170
State vs national+56.0% vs national

Salary distribution

Where San Francisco cartographers and photogrammetrists fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$90,88025TH$112,430MEDIAN$122,74075TH$135,33090TH$135,330

The middle 50% of workers earn between $112,430 and $135,330, with a median of $122,740.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Geography

    Knowledge

    4.5 / 5
  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge

    4.2 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5
  • Written Comprehension

    Ability

    4.0 / 5
  • Near Vision

    Ability

    3.9 / 5
  • Oral Comprehension

    Ability

    3.9 / 5
  • Inductive Reasoning

    Ability

    3.6 / 5
  • English Language

    Knowledge

    3.5 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.

  2. 02

    Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.

  3. 03

    Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.

  4. 04

    Study legal records to establish boundaries of local, national, and international properties.

  5. 05

    Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.

  6. 06

    Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.

  7. 07

    Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.

  8. 08

    Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.

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Other metros in California

How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for cartographers and photogrammetrists.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in San Francisco, California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $122,740.
Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists?
The San Francisco metro median is +15.1% versus the California state median of $106,610.
How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists?
The San Francisco metro median is +56.0% versus the BLS national figure of $78,664.
What is the salary range for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in San Francisco?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $90,880 and the 90th-percentile at $135,330 for the San Francisco metro area.
What education is required for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.