What is the starting salary for Cartography graduates in Seattle?

The estimated starting salary for Cartography graduates in Seattle, WA is $74,400 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 120. The national average starting salary for this major is $62,000. Salaries in Seattle are 20% higher than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Cartography degree worth it in Seattle?

A Cartography degree in Seattle has an estimated ROI payback period of 3.7 years, with a projected lifetime return of $-884 after subtracting education costs. With 16 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $12,076/year, Seattle offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 3.1% and the major's national unemployment rate of 3% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Cartography in Seattle?

The average annual public university tuition in Seattle is $12,076, while private universities average $49,119/year. Including room and board ($18,145/year), total 4-year costs range from $120,884 at a public school to $269,056 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Seattle is $10,675/year.

What jobs can Cartography graduates get in Seattle?

Cartography graduates in Seattle can pursue careers as Cartographer, GIS Analyst, Geospatial Engineer. Key skills valued by local employers include GIS, Remote Sensing, Data Visualization, Spatial Analysis. The Seattle job market features Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include USGS, Esri, Google.

How long to pay off student loans for Cartography in Seattle?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Cartography graduates in Seattle would pay $1,373/month on an estimated $120,884 in loans, with $43,830 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,365/month but save $22,800 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $74,400, monthly payments would represent 22% of gross monthly income.

Cartography Degree in Seattle, WA — Salary & ROI 2026

Cartography degree analysis for Seattle, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$74K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$106K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

3.7 yrs

in Seattle

Cost of Living

120

index (100 = avg)

Cartography in Seattle, WA Overview

Seattle, Washington (pop. 737,015) has 16 colleges offering Cartography programs. The local cost of living index of 120 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,508/month. Cartography has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for GIS and Remote Sensing skills. The adjusted starting salary in Seattle is approximately $74,400.

Cartography Salary in Seattle (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Seattle's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$74,400(+$12,400 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$105,600(+$17,600 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$138,000(+$23,000 vs national)

Note: National average Cartography salary: $62,000 starting, $88,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Seattle adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.

Cartography ROI Calculator for Seattle

Estimate your return on investment for a Cartography degree using local Seattle tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $12,076 | Private avg: $49,119

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Seattle avg aid: $10,675/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$120,884

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$32,400

vs HS diploma in Seattle

ROI Payback Period

3.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Seattle

$-884

Lifetime earnings premium ($120,000) minus total education cost ($120,884)

Student Loan Payoff for Cartography in Seattle

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$120,884

Monthly Payment$1,373

Total Interest$43,830

% of Monthly Income22%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$120,884

Monthly Payment$2,365

Total Interest$21,030

Interest Savings$22,800

Colleges in Seattle for Cartography

University of Washington

public

$12,076/yr

$48,304 total

Seattle University

private

$51,435/yr

$205,740 total

Seattle Pacific University

private

$46,803/yr

$187,212 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Seattle Central College

$4,479/yr

Top Employers for Cartography in Seattle

Seattle offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Cartography graduates. National top employers in this field include:

USGSEsriGoogleNGA

Key Seattle Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Cartography Job Titles

CartographerGIS AnalystGeospatial Engineer

Cartography in Nearby Washington Cities

Spokane, WA

$75K starting · COL 121

20 colleges

Tacoma, WA

$70K starting · COL 113

25 colleges

Vancouver, WA

$67K starting · COL 108.5

7 colleges

Bellevue, WA

$111K starting · COL 178.5

6 colleges

Kent, WA

$72K starting · COL 115.8

6 colleges

Everett, WA

$73K starting · COL 118.2

5 colleges

Renton, WA

$76K starting · COL 122.5

5 colleges

Spokane Valley, WA

$76K starting · COL 123.1

4 colleges

Other STEM Majors in Seattle

Prompt Engineering

$60K starting · 1.5 yr ROI

Computational Linguistics

$114K starting · 2 yr ROI

Computer Science

$102K starting · 2.8 yr ROI

Software Engineering

$106K starting · 2.7 yr ROI

Data Science

$98K starting · 3 yr ROI

Astrophysics

$102K starting · 3 yr ROI

Actuarial Science

$60K starting · 3 yr ROI

Cybersecurity

$96K starting · 3 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Cartography degree outcomes in Seattle, WA: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Cartography programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Washington.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Seattle using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Cartography graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Cartography career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Cartography grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Seattle Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Washington students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Washington)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Washington programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "washington higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Cartography Degree in Seattle — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Cartography ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Seattle.

Cartography Overview Colleges in Seattle All Majors