California Median
$102,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $81,390
State Rank
#1 of 41
1,450 employed here
How much do Cartographers and Photogrammetrists make in California?
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in California take home a median of $102,780 annually — roughly $49.41 an hour — which runs 26% above the national median of $81,390.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $63,080 while the top 10% make $135,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,370 and $131,470 a year.
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,080 | $30.33 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $75,370 | $36.24 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $102,780 | $49.41 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $131,470 | $63.21 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,490 | $65.14 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 41 states and territories for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists salary in other states
Minnesota $99,850Washington $96,100Nevada $93,560Massachusetts $92,230New York $89,290Alaska $89,170New Jersey $88,480Oregon $88,240Colorado $86,960Virginia $86,660Oklahoma $86,410Iowa $84,570Maryland $84,360Connecticut $84,100Arizona $82,260Nebraska $81,500North Carolina $81,080Florida $79,650New Mexico $79,200Maine $78,670Missouri $76,950Wisconsin $76,760Utah $75,220Michigan $75,090Indiana $74,800Texas $73,970Pennsylvania $73,180Tennessee $72,990Idaho $72,930South Dakota $72,910South Carolina $72,260Montana $72,220New Hampshire $72,130Kentucky $71,470North Dakota $71,070Ohio $70,990Wyoming $70,590Georgia $62,630Louisiana $59,990Illinois $54,680
Working as Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in California
Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($102,780) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Cartographers and Photogrammetrists make in California?
The median Cartographers and Photogrammetrists salary in California is $102,780 per year, or about $49.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,080 at the entry level to $135,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Cartographers and Photogrammetrists about 26% more than the national median of $81,390. California ranks 1st out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $102,780 a year. About 1,450 Cartographers and Photogrammetrists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cartographers and Photogrammetrists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.