Also called: Astrogeology Mapper, Planetary GIS Specialist
Makes the maps of the Moon, Mars, and other worlds that astronauts and rovers use.
You stitch together thousands of orbital photos into a seamless map, build 3D terrain models, and mark safe landing zones. The U.S. Geological Survey has a whole team that does this.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in geography, GIS, or geology.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Geography, GIS, Geology.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI builds maps from spacecraft images automatically, so fewer mapmakers; quality checks remain.
Classes: Geography, Computer science, Earth science, Art.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-1021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.