high risk

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

SOC: 17-1021.00 · Job Zone 4 (Considerable preparation)

Collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data. Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems.

HighEst. full displacement: 2034–2041high confidence

Raw task score: 69.7Protective discount: 22.4%14 tasks scoredModel: v1.0_gemini-3-1-pro-preview_20260228

AI Impact Summary

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists faces high AI displacement risk with a score of 54/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2034 and 2041. Of 14 analyzed tasks, 7 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$78,380

per year

Mean Wage

$82,860

per year

Employment

13K

workers

Wage Range

$50,500 - $121,440

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$50,500Median: $78,380$121,440

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 22.4%

Skill Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Reading Comprehension10%

High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (7)

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Negotiation85%

Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (5)

WritingCritical ThinkingActive LearningJudgment and Decision MakingSystems Analysis

Recommendations

Skills to Develop

These skills are at risk from AI automation. Cartographers and Photogrammetrists professionals should diversify beyond them.

Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Skills to Leverage

These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.

Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Tools to Adopt

AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.

Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

Task Breakdown

14 tasks analyzed

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

Routine CognitiveAI: 85Risk: 83.2Time: 12%

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

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 75Risk: 57.0Time: 10%

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

Routine CognitiveAI: 85Risk: 83.2Time: 9%

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

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 60Risk: 51.0Time: 5%

Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Routine CognitiveAI: 70Risk: 77.2Time: 8%

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

Routine CognitiveAI: 80Risk: 81.2Time: 10%

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

Routine CognitiveAI: 85Risk: 83.2Time: 6%

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

Routine CognitiveAI: 85Risk: 83.2Time: 8%

Examine and analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics, and related charts.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 75Risk: 57.0Time: 9%

Determine guidelines that specify which source material is acceptable for use.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 45Risk: 45.0Time: 4%

Build and update digital databases.

Routine CognitiveAI: 85Risk: 83.2Time: 8%

Determine map content and layout, as well as production specifications such as scale, size, projection, and colors, and direct production to ensure that specifications are followed.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 50Risk: 47.0Time: 5%

Select aerial photographic and remote sensing techniques and plotting equipment needed to meet required standards of accuracy.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 45Risk: 45.0Time: 4%

Travel over photographed areas to observe, identify, record, and verify all relevant features.

Non-Routine ManualAI: 15Risk: 15.0Time: 2%

Task	Category	AI Capability	Risk Score	Time %
Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.	Routine Cognitive	85	83.2	12%
Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.	Non-Routine Analytical	75	57.0	10%
Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.	Routine Cognitive	85	83.2	9%
Study legal records to establish boundaries of local, national, and international properties.	Non-Routine Analytical	60	51.0	5%
Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.	Routine Cognitive	70	77.2	8%
Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.	Routine Cognitive	80	81.2	10%
Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.	Routine Cognitive	85	83.2	6%
Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.	Routine Cognitive	85	83.2	8%
Examine and analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics, and related charts.	Non-Routine Analytical	75	57.0	9%
Determine guidelines that specify which source material is acceptable for use.	Non-Routine Analytical	45	45.0	4%
Build and update digital databases.	Routine Cognitive	85	83.2	8%
Determine map content and layout, as well as production specifications such as scale, size, projection, and colors, and direct production to ensure that specifications are followed.	Non-Routine Analytical	50	47.0	5%
Select aerial photographic and remote sensing techniques and plotting equipment needed to meet required standards of accuracy.	Non-Routine Analytical	45	45.0	4%
Travel over photographed areas to observe, identify, record, and verify all relevant features.	Non-Routine Manual	15	15.0	2%