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Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $116,580 Median per year · $56.05/hr Most earn $55,940–$188,470

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Document, design, code, or test Geographic Information Systems (GIS) models, internet mapping solutions, or other applications.
  • Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
  • Create, analyze, report, convert, or transfer data, using specialized applications program software.
  • Meet with clients to discuss topics such as technical specifications, customized solutions, or operational problems.
  • Collect, compile, or integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, such as remote sensing or cartographic data for inclusion in map manuscripts.
  • Prepare training materials for, or make presentations to, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) users.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 27,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service19.6%
  • Computer systems design and related services16.0%
  • Management of companies and enterprises4.9%
  • Self-employed (their own business)4.9%
  • Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services3.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

This is usually not a straight-out-of-school job. Most people finish a bachelor's degree, then spend about 1 to 2 years in an entry-level GIS role before working as a GIS technologist or technician.

  1. Bachelor's degree in geography, GIS, or a related field

    4 years

    You learn mapping, spatial analysis, and data management, which are the core skills this job uses every day.

  2. GIS Assistant

    1-2 years

    You help maintain map databases, clean up spatial data, and make maps for a team, building the hands-on experience employers look for.

  3. GIS Technologist / Technician

    Career goal

    You build, update, and use GIS databases and support scientists or other professionals who rely on maps and spatial data.

Where it can lead

  1. Remote Sensing Scientist and Technologist

    2-4 years of experience first

    You move into working with satellite and aerial imagery, which takes deeper knowledge of image analysis and often more technical training.

  2. GIS Analyst

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on more analysis and project work, designing spatial solutions and advising others on what the data shows.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take geometry, statistics, and computer science classesMath and data skills are the foundation for working with spatial data and GIS software.
  • Take a geography or earth science classThese classes introduce you to maps, landforms, and how places are studied, which is the core of GIS work.
  • Join a robotics, coding, or science clubTeamwork on real projects shows you how to work with data and solve problems, which employers in GIS value.
  • Try free mapping tools like Google My Maps or QGISMaking your own maps early helps you find out if you enjoy spatial work before you choose a college major.
  • Get a part-time or volunteer job with a local park, library, or planning groupHelping with community projects or records gives you early experience with organizing information and working with local officials.

In college

  • Major in GIS, geography, or a related fieldA degree in one of these fields gives you the bachelor's education this career typically requires.
  • Take courses in spatial analysis, databases, and programmingDatabase and coding skills let you manage and automate large sets of map data, which this job depends on.
  • Apply for a GIS or mapping internshipHands-on work with real data is often the experience employers look for after graduation.
  • Work a campus job in a lab, library, or IT help deskThese jobs build the technical support and documentation skills that GIS technicians use when helping other users.
  • Join a geography, mapping, or environmental student clubClubs offer networking, field trips, and chances to meet people working in GIS.

Tips for getting started

  • Learn at least one GIS software package (such as ArcGIS or QGIS) and build a small portfolio of maps you made yourself.
  • Look for internships, co-ops, or part-time jobs with city, county, or environmental offices, since many GIS jobs there value local hands-on experience.
  • Get comfortable with spreadsheets and basic coding, such as Python, because GIS work often involves automating tasks with data.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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