How much does a Topographer make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Topographer
Image that illustrates Topographer

Topographer

40 400 kr

GIS and mapping engineers

34 900 - 50 600 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Tekniskt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Topographer

Average salary 40 400 kr
Males 40 700 kr
Females 40 100 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 4 Vacant jobs ->

What does a topographer do? – Tasks and work environment

A topographer works with collecting, analyzing, and presenting geographic information about the Earth's surface. Tasks often include field measurements, processing data using advanced GIS tools, and creating maps and digital models. The work of a topographer is essential for urban planning, construction projects, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure development. The work environment varies between office work, where digital tools are used for analysis and visualization, and fieldwork, which may involve being in forests, on land, or in urban areas under different weather conditions.

Salary development over time

The salary development for topographers has been stable over the past three years but shows a slightly positive trend. In 2022, the average salary was 39,300 SEK per month and increased to 40 400 SEK in 2023, which is an increase of approximately 2.8%. In 2024, the average salary has remained at 40 400 SEK. This development reflects a steady market where demand for topographers is stable, which is also linked to the increasing importance of geographic information systems and digital mapping in urban planning and environmental monitoring. The salary increase has been somewhat more noticeable for women than for men, but gender differences are still small within the profession. Overall, salaries are influenced by factors such as education level, experience, and sector of employment.

Topographer salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 40 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,900 SEK/month (female, public sector, post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 50,600 SEK/month (female, government sector, research education)
  • Hourly wage: 243 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Women earn 98% of what men do (men: 40 700 SEK, women: 40 100 SEK)
  • Regional differences: No clear data available

Education and qualifications

To work as a topographer, a post-secondary education in geography, geosciences, urban planning, or technical subjects with specialization in GIS and cartography is usually required. A university or engineering degree with a focus on geographic information systems is most in demand. Practical components and field studies are important parts of the education, as well as skills in digital tools and analytical thinking.

  • University or engineering degree in geosciences, urban planning, or GIS (3–5 years)
  • Courses and certifications in GIS, cartography, and remote sensing
  • Internships or trainee positions during or after studies provide valuable experience
  • Prerequisites often include science or technical high school education
  • Online courses are available to supplement or deepen knowledge in modern GIS systems

Many topographers work closely with other professionals such as archaeologists, environmental scientists, and urban planners. Interdisciplinary collaboration presents both challenges and opportunities for development within various projects and industries.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Topographers are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, occupational pensions, and flexible working hours. In some cases, options for remote work, further training, and extra vacation days are available. Fieldwork may include per diems and travel allowances.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a topographer is characterized by a balanced competition situation, where the number of qualified individuals roughly matches the demand in the job market. Digitalization and developments within GIS mean that skill requirements change rapidly, demanding continuous further education. Challenges may also include access to project-based employment and regional variations. Tasks can sometimes be physically demanding during fieldwork and require great accuracy and responsibility in data collection and analysis.

Tips for those who want to become a topographer

To succeed as a topographer, it is good to have analytical skills and an interest in technology and cartography. Precision is crucial, especially during data collection and processing, to ensure accurate and useful results. Being flexible and comfortable with both office and field work is advantageous, as the work environment often varies. Collaboration skills are important when projects involve multiple disciplines, and good communication skills facilitate presentation and reporting of results. Staying updated on new digital tools and methods within GIS is also key to success in the profession.

Key facts about the topographer

  • Average salary: 40 400 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 34,900–50,600 SEK/month
  • Education requirements: University or engineering degree, often with GIS specialization
  • Work environment: Combination of office and fieldwork
  • Demand: Moderate, increasing according to forecasts

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years as a topographer, career opportunities include roles such as project manager in mapping, GIS specialist, or responsible for larger urban development projects. There are also opportunities to specialize further in research, data analysis, or development of digital mapping services. According to the Employment Service's forecast for GIS and mapping engineers, job prospects are moderate today, but demand is expected to increase over the next five years. A total of 564 job openings within the profession indicates good opportunities for recent graduates or those seeking a change of employer. Specialist skills in digitalization and advanced GIS analysis offer particularly promising future prospects.

Common questions about the topographer

  • What is the average salary of a topographer?
    - The average salary for a topographer is 40 400 SEK per month.
  • How has the salary development been for topographers?
    - Salaries have increased from 39,300 SEK to 40 400 SEK over the past three years.
  • Are there gender differences in salary for topographers?
    - Women earn 98% of what men do within the profession.
  • What education is required to become a topographer?
    - A university or engineering degree with a focus on geosciences or GIS is recommended.
  • What does the job market look like for topographers?
    - Demand is moderate and expected to increase over the next five years.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a topographer?
    - The highest salary is 50,600 SEK, and the lowest is 34,900 SEK per month.
  • What tasks does a topographer perform?
    - Tasks include field measurements, data analysis, and map production.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-06 13:29:57

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Topographer is 50600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Government sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 42200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Topographer is 34900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 35900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 97% 38300 kr 38500 kr
35-44 100% 40600 kr 40800 kr
45-54 99% 41300 kr 41400 kr
55-64 98% 40600 kr 40800 kr
Snitt 98% 40200 kr 40400 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Topographer has the SSYK code 3117, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics