Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $133,730 a year, or about $64.29 an hour. The range runs from $101K at the entry level to $170K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $121,110 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 44.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $134K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About cartographers and photogrammetrists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level cartographers and photogrammetrists (10th percentile) start around $101K. Mid-career wages sit at $134K.Top earners bring in $170K or more - a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $118K | +50% | 40 |
| California | $107K | +36% | 1,070 |
| Connecticut | $94K | +20% | N/A |
| New York | $93K | +19% | 190 |
| Washington | $93K | +19% | 670 |
| Nevada | $92K | +17% | 220 |
| Oklahoma | $90K | +15% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $89K | +14% | 120 |
| Hawaii | $88K | +13% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $87K | +11% | 120 |
| New Jersey | $85K | +9% | 130 |
| Oregon | $83K | +6% | 600 |
| North Dakota | $83K | +6% | 40 |
| Maryland | $83K | +6% | 550 |
| Maine | $82K | +4% | 60 |
Track cartographers and photogrammetrists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cartographers and photogrammetrists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $133,730 a year - that works out to about $64.29 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $101,350, and experienced cartographers and photogrammetrists can clear $169,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $134K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,799/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cartographers and photogrammetrists salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cartographers and photogrammetrists salary is worth about $121,110 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cartographers and photogrammetrists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.