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Career overview · SOC 15-1299

Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

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.

Also called: Geographic Information System Analyst (GIS Analyst) · Geographic Information Systems Administrator (GIS Administrator) · Geographic Information Systems Analyst (GIS Analyst) · Geographic Information Systems Coordinator (GIS Coordinator) · GIS Specialist (Geographic Information Systems Specialist) · GIS Technician (Geographic Information Systems Technician)

Median pay (national)
$108,970
$52,650–$176,800 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
439,380
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+8.2%
~31,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for geographic information systems technologists and technicians shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $176,800 versus $52,650 at the bottom 10% — 3.4x. The median of $108,970 leaves roughly 62% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +8.2% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 31,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Virgin Islands pays the most for this role (median $179,830, +65% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $42,250 — a 326% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Amazon Web Services AWS software, Autodesk AutoCAD, ESRI ArcGIS ArcPy, ESRI ArcGIS software as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this 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.

Tools & technology

  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • ESRI ArcGIS ArcPy
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • ESRI ArcGIS Survey 123
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Python
  • QGIS

Knowledge areas

  • Geography
  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Design
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Education and Training