Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

Overview

Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians has a national median salary of $116,580 per year, with +5.1% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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.

Work Values

• Achievement
• Independence
• Working Conditions

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
• Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
• Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
• Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
• 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.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Getting Information
• Processing Information
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Detailed Work Activities

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians:

Video Resources