Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
Science, Technology, Engineering and MathematicsO*NET 15-1299.02United States
Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.
- Median annual earnings
- $113,638
- Projected change
- +11.4%
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Employment
- 499.03K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
65.2% of the workforce
Growing to 555.79K by 2035
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ASU learning related to this career
These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.
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The work
What geographic information systems technologists and technicians do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
- Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications.
- Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
- Provide technical expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to clients or users.
- Perform computer programming, data analysis, or software development for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications, including the maintenance of existing systems or research and development for future enhancements.
- Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps, scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital data.
- Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
- Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software.
- Design or coordinate the development of integrated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial or non-spatial databases.
- Perform integrated or computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses to address scientific problems.
- Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
- Provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, equipment, or applications.
- Collect, compile, or integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, such as remote sensing or cartographic data for inclusion in map manuscripts.
- Interpret aerial or ortho photographs.
- Meet with clients to discuss topics such as technical specifications, customized solutions, or operational problems.
- Document, design, code, or test Geographic Information Systems (GIS) models, internet mapping solutions, or other applications.
- Create, analyze, report, convert, or transfer data, using specialized applications program software.
- Confer with users to analyze, configure, or troubleshoot applications.
- Design, program, or model Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications or procedures.
- Develop specialized computer software routines, internet-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, or business applications to customize geographic information.
- Make recommendations regarding upgrades, considering implications of new or revised Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, equipment, or applications.
- Assist users in formulating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) requirements or understanding the implications of alternatives.
- Create visual representations of geospatial data, using complex procedures such as analytical modeling, three-dimensional renderings, or plot creation.
- Transfer or rescale information from original photographs onto maps or other photographs.
- Prepare training materials for, or make presentations to, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) users.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $53,796
- 25th percentile
- $76,983
- 50th percentile
- $113,638
- 75th percentile
- $155,092
- 90th percentile
- $191,936
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $113,638 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+11.4%faster than average
2025499,030 jobs
2035 projected555,787 jobs
56,757 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Bachelor's degree
- 65.2%
- Master's or Professional degree
- 34.8%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Programming
- Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Service Orientation
- Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Persuasion
- Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01GIS Analysts1,194 postings
- 02Geographic Information Systems Specialists853 postings
- 03GIS Technicians729 postings
- 04GIS Developers230 postings
- 05Geospatial Analysts195 postings
- 06GIS Interns124 postings
- 07Sales Solution Engineers119 postings
- 08Network Interns104 postings
- 09GIS Managers94 postings
- 10Mappers93 postings
- 11Network Consultants88 postings
- 12GIS Project Managers79 postings
- 13GIS Consultants64 postings
- 14HRIS Business Analysts63 postings
- 15Geographic Information Systems Interns62 postings
- 16Principals58 postings
- 17Lead GIS Analysts54 postings
- 18GIS Field Technicians48 postings
- 19GIS Data Analysts47 postings
- 20GIS Engineers46 postings
Top employers
- 01Esri522 postings
- 02Actalent165 postings
- 03Lumen Technologies104 postings
- 04PricewaterhouseCoopers88 postings
- 05Insight Global74 postings
- 06TRC Companies69 postings
- 07Cci Systems53 postings
- 08Soft Incorporated50 postings
- 09Cognizant Technology Solutions49 postings
- 10Abbtech Professional Services45 postings
- 11Honu Services40 postings
- 12Beacon Hill Staffing Group39 postings
- 13AECOM38 postings
- 14NV537 postings
- 15TEKsystems37 postings
- 16Leidos35 postings
- 17Conservation Legacy31 postings
- 18Robert Half30 postings
- 19Alcohol Monitoring Systems / Scram Systems29 postings
- 20Navitas Partners27 postings
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