Also called: Planetary Mapping Specialist, GIS Analyst (Planetary)
Makes the maps of the Moon, Mars, and other worlds that scientists and mission planners use.
You stitch thousands of orbital images into a seamless map, build 3D terrain models, and mark hazards for future landers.
Based on cartographers and photogrammetrists.
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, Planetary Science.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI stitches orbital images and builds terrain models automatically; few cartographer jobs remain.
Classes: AP Human Geography, Earth science, AP Computer Science.
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.