Career Overview
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 Known As
- Geographic Information System Analyst (GIS Analyst)
- Geographic Information Systems Analyst (GIS Analyst)
- GIS Specialist (Geographic Information Systems Specialist)
- GIS Technician (Geographic Information Systems Technician)
Alternate Job Titles
- CADD GIS Technician (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Geographic Information Systems Technician)
- Cartographic Technician
- Conversion Specialist
- Field GIS Technician (Field Geographic Information Systems Technician)
- Geographic Information System Analyst (GIS Analyst)
- Geographic Information Systems Administrator (GIS Administrator)
- Geographic Information Systems Analyst (GIS Analyst)
- Geographic Information Systems Application Specialist (GIS Application Specialist)
- Geographic Information Systems Coordinator (GIS Coordinator)
- Geographic Information Systems Data Administrator (GIS Data Administrator)
- Geographic Information Systems Data Specialist (GIS Data Specialist)
- Geographic Information Systems Database Administrator (GIS Database Administrator)
- Geographic Information Systems Developer (GIS Developer)
- Geographic Information Systems Geographer (GIS Geographer)
- Geographic Information Systems Mapping Technician (GIS Mapping Technician)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Visualization
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Innovation
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Support
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Apple iOS
- Atlassian JIRA
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Bentley MicroStation
Tools & Equipment
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer laser printers
- Computer servers
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Digitizers
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Laptop computers
- Large-format plotters
- Laser facsimile machines
- Light detection and ranging LIDAR systems
- Mainframe computers
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Spend Time Sitting
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Computer Occupations, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $52,650 |
| Median | $108,970 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $176,800 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 439,380
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Surveying and Mapping Technicians
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $51,940
Data Scientists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $112,590
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $78,380
Geographers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $97,200
Geodetic Surveyors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $72,740
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.