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Map Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Gather business requirements for the CDP and MAP by conducting interviews, analyzing documents, administering surveys, studying business processes, creating use cases, performing business analysis ...

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Map information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$97.3K

$138.7K

How much do map jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for map in California is $97,281.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $111,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Map vs Cartographer?

AspectMapCartographer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require GIS certificationsBachelor's degree in Geography, Cartography, or related field; GIS certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, office, or digital environments; creating and updating mapsOffice-based, using GIS software to design and produce maps
Industry UsageUsed across various industries including navigation, urban planning, and outdoor recreationPrimarily in GIS, urban planning, environmental management, and mapping services

While a Map refers to the visual representation of geographic data, a Cartographer is a professional who creates, designs, and updates maps using specialized skills and software. The cartographer's role involves technical expertise, whereas a map is the end product used across many industries.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A map-related job that can earn $10,000 a month without a degree is often in specialized fields like GIS (Geographic Information Systems) consulting, remote mapping services, or freelance cartography. These roles typically require strong technical skills, experience, and sometimes certifications, but not necessarily a formal degree. High earnings are usually associated with self-employment, consulting, or working in niche markets with high demand.

What jobs involve maps?

Jobs that involve maps include cartographers, GIS specialists, urban planners, surveyors, and navigation system developers. These roles require skills in geographic information systems (GIS), spatial analysis, and map creation using specialized software. They are common in fields like urban development, environmental management, transportation, and government planning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Map Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Map Technician, you need a solid background in cartography, geography, and spatial analysis, typically supported by a relevant degree or certification. Proficiency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), mapping software like ArcGIS, and data management tools is essential. Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the creation of accurate, reliable maps and spatial data, which are critical for decision-making in various industries.

Is map making a good career?

Map making, or cartography, is a specialized field that involves designing and creating maps using GIS software and spatial data analysis. It offers opportunities in industries such as urban planning, environmental management, and navigation, often requiring technical skills and certifications. The career can be stable and rewarding for those with strong analytical and technical abilities.

What are mapmakers (cartographers) and what do they do?

Mapmakers, also known as cartographers, are professionals who design, create, and update maps and visual representations of geographic information. They use a variety of data sources, including satellite imagery, surveys, and geographic information systems (GIS), to produce accurate and informative maps for a range of purposes, such as navigation, urban planning, and environmental studies. Cartographers must have a strong understanding of geography, spatial relationships, and technology to effectively translate complex data into easy-to-understand visuals.

How much does a cartographer get paid?

The average salary for a cartographer in the United States is around $60,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on experience, education, and location. Skilled cartographers who use GIS software and have specialized certifications may earn higher salaries, especially in government or private sector roles.

What are some common challenges faced by cartographers when creating digital maps?

Cartographers often encounter challenges such as ensuring data accuracy from multiple sources, keeping map information up-to-date, and making maps user-friendly for diverse audiences. Balancing aesthetic design with technical detail is also critical, especially when working with geographic information systems (GIS). Collaboration with data scientists, surveyors, and project managers is common, requiring strong communication and adaptability in a fast-evolving field.
What are the most commonly searched types of Map jobs in California? The most popular types of Map jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Map jobs? Cities in California with the most Map job openings:
Lead Algorithm Engineer, Map-Perception Fusion

Lead Algorithm Engineer, Map-Perception Fusion

Nvidia Corporation

Santa Clara, CA โ€ข On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 hours ago


Job description

Are you driven to shape the future of autonomous vehicles at scale? Join our DRIVE Road Structure, Online Mapping, and Context Fusion team and lead the development of next-generation self-driving technologies. In this role, you will partner with cross-functional engineering leaders to architect and deliver advanced 3D world models that fuse map and perception data, enabling safe, intelligent navigation across complex road systems in the U.S. and China. This is an opportunity to take technical ownership of critical systems and influence the direction of autonomous driving at the core of our platform.
What you'll be doing:
  • Lead Core Autonomous Driving Systems: Own the design, development, and evolution of systems that integrate cutting-edge perception and mapping technologies across diverse driving environments.
  • Architect Real-Time 3D World Models: Drive the creation of scalable, real-time 3D representations by fusing multi-modal sensor data and external sources to support robust planning and navigation.
  • Advance Mapless Driving Capabilities: Spearhead the development and processing of enriched bird's-eye-view (BEV) model outputs, reducing reliance on HD maps and enabling autonomy in highly dynamic urban environments.
  • Elevate Scenario Understanding: Define and implement approaches for static obstacle modeling, occupancy grids, and occlusion reasoning to improve environmental awareness and decision-making.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with perception, planning, and platform teams; mentor engineers; and help align technical strategy across organizations.
  • Set Engineering Standards: Champion high-quality, production-grade code and enforce best practices aligned with automotive safety, reliability, and scalability requirements.

What we need to see:
  • PhD with 6+ years, MS (or equivalent experience) with 10+ years of relevant experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
  • Proven track record of leading complex software systems, ideally in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or related domains.
  • Strong expertise in system design, real-time processing, and scalable software architectures.
  • Demonstrated ability to drive technical direction, mentor engineers, and deliver results in ambiguous environments.
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and cross-team collaboration skills.
  • Experience with embedded or automotive-grade systems is highly desirable.

Ways to Stand Out from the Crowd:
  • Deep expertise in 3D geometry, computer vision, sensor calibration, or state estimation (e.g., Kalman or particle filters).
  • Experience leading real-time computer vision or perception systems in production environments.
  • Strong background in API design, software frameworks, and platform-level thinking.

At NVIDIA, we are committed to making autonomous driving a reality and believe this technology has the potential to save millions of lives. You will join a team of world-class innovators tackling one of the most impactful challenges of our time. With the scale, resources, and ambition to lead the industry, we are looking for leaders who can turn vision into reality. If you are passionate about building transformative technology and driving meaningful impact, we want to hear from you.
Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD.
You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until May 30, 2026.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993