Technical occupations in architecture, drafting, surveying, geomatics and meteorology

How to become a technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology

Official title: Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology

Also called: Geomatics technician - cartography, Geomatics technologist - cartography, Geomatics technician - aerial surveys, Geomatics technician - photogrammetry, Geomatics technician - remote sensing, Geomatics technologist - aerial surveys, Geomatics technologist - photogrammetry, Geomatics technologist - remote sensing, Geomatics technician - canadian armed forces, Ice conditions service specialist - meteorology, Geomatics technician - geographical information systems (gis), Geomatics technologist - geographical information systems (gis)

Technical occupations in geomatics include aerial survey, remote sensing, geographic information systems, cartographic and photogrammetric technologists and technicians, who gather, analyze, interpret and use geospatial information for applications in natural resources, geology, environmental research and land use planning. Meteorological technologists and technicians observe weather and atmospheric conditions, record, interpret, transmit and report on meteorological data, and provide weather information to the agricultural, natural resources and transportation industries and the public. Geomatics technologists and technicians are employed by all levels of government, utilities, mapping, computer software, forestry, architectural, engineering and consulting firms and other related establishments. Meteorological technologists and technicians are employed by all levels of government, the media, natural resources, utilities and transportation companies and consulting firms.

Main tasks

Aerial survey and remote sensing technologists and technicians
Operate analog or digital airborne remote sensing equipment such as survey film or digital cameras, laser or radar sensors and scanners to prepare images, data and graphic reports, maps and charts from airborne or satellite data
Develop specialized analog and computer software specific routines to customize and integrate image analysis
Inspect quality of recorded images, verify the integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems, and adjust equipment as required
Geographic information systems (GIS) technologists and technicians
Operate specialized computer hardware and software and peripheral equipment to model, manage, analyze and display geospatial data
Develop specialized computer software routines, Internet-based GIS, database and business applications to customize geographic information
Work with external organizations on data transfer and systems compatibility issues

How to become one

Completion of secondary school is required. Geomatics technologists and technicians require completion of a college program in geomatics, cartography, photogrammetry, aerial survey, remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS) or geomatics. In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title ''Professional Technologist''. Meteorological technicians require completion of a one-year meteorological technician program provided by the Meteorological Service of Canada. Further specialized training is available for meteorological technicians, and may be required by some employers.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 15 universities in Canada
University: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 11 universities in Canada
College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 30% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Geography and cartography; Geological and Earth sciences/geosciences; Natural resources conservation and research.
Licence or registration: In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title ''Professional Technologist''.

Pay · Outlook

Median pay: $74,295 a year The middle half earn $62,673 to $85,722.
About 8,700 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 8,700 are projected by 2033. (+0%)
Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of surplus.

Questions people ask

How do I become a technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology?

How much does a technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology earn in Canada?

Median full-time pay is $74,295 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $62,673 to $85,722.

Is a technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology a growing career in Canada?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2033: about 8,700 people now and 8,700 later (Employment and Social Development Canada).

Do you need a degree to become a technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology?

Usually. 61% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Sources

Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03