Cartographers generally work alone behind a desk, drawing board, or in the controlled environment of automated mapping equipment and computers. Few cartographers visit the places they map. While some growth is expected in the employment of cartographers in private firms over the next several years, little growth is expected in the government sector. The continuing demand for maps will most likely be met by CAD and other technical advances in electronic data collection rather than by the hiring of additional workers. The occupation appears to be stable, with little turnover of workers.
Openings occur occasionally, usually at entry level.
Most job openings are expected to result from the need to replace those who change occupations, retire, or otherwise leave the labor force. The rise in the use of computers, more complex technologies and automated equipment will result in less demand for workers with only manual mapping and drafting skills. As skills required of cartographers will become more specialized and more complex, competition for lower-skilled, entry level jobs will intensify. Job prospects will be better for those who have a college education in engineering or a physical science such as geography or geodesy, training in cartography, or in a closely related field. The regular work week is 40 hours, but some workers are employed part time.