Career profile · 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.
What the work can involve
- 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.
- Interpret aerial or ortho photographs.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This O*NET group commonly calls for substantial preparation, often including a bachelor’s degree or considerable relevant experience. An introductory vocational course alone may not provide an entry route.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Processing Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Contact with others about half the time | 32.8%08/2026 · sample 16 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Never | 71.9%08/2026 · sample 16 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 91.1%08/2026 · sample 16 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 97.0%08/2026 · sample 16 |
| Spend Time Sitting | Continually or almost continually | 78.1%08/2026 · sample 16 |
| Time Pressure | Once a month or more but not every week | 46.6%08/2026 · sample 16 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Never | 66.2%08/2026 · sample 16 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 94.6%08/2026 · sample 15 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Analytical or scientific software: Agronomic modeling software, Coordinate geometry COGO software, ESRI ArcGIS ArcPy, ESRI ArcGIS Survey 123
- Application server software: Docker, GitHub, Kubernetes
- Business intelligence and data analysis software: Tableau
- Cloud-based management software: IBM WebSphere
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Land Desktop, Bentley MicroStation, Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Content workflow software: Atlassian JIRA
- Data base management system software: Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle PL/SQL, Relational database management software, Relational database management system RDMS
- Data base reporting software: SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
- Data base user interface and query software: ADO.NET, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Autodesk Topobase, Microsoft Access
- Development environment software: Adobe ActionScript, ArcGIS Web AppBuilder, C, Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Document management software: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft SharePoint Server
- Electronic mail software: Email software, Microsoft Outlook
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for geographic information systems technologists and technicians
This O*NET specialty shares the BLS 15-1299 occupation series. Pay is measured for Computer Occupations, All Other, not separately for this specialty.
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 51 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $106,330 | $51.12 | 2,630 |
| Alaska | $105,960 | $50.94 | 710 |
| Arizona | $105,240 | $50.60 | 5,510 |
| Arkansas | $86,940 | $41.80 | 1,120 |
| California | $134,440 | $64.63 | 80,150 |
| Colorado | $139,580 | $67.10 | 11,800 |
| Connecticut | $127,720 | $61.40 | 3,100 |
| Delaware | $137,470 | $66.09 | 860 |
| District of Columbia | $156,590 | $75.29 | 17,200 |
| Florida | $105,370 | $50.66 | 13,710 |
| Georgia | $104,610 | $50.29 | 20,630 |
| Hawaii | $120,100 | $57.74 | 2,080 |
| Idaho | $98,700 | $47.45 | 1,040 |
| Illinois | $99,360 | $47.77 | 11,160 |
| Indiana | $93,540 | $44.97 | 3,340 |
| Iowa | $107,340 | $51.61 | 3,850 |
| Kansas | $103,380 | $49.70 | 1,340 |
| Kentucky | $89,420 | $42.99 | 1,850 |
| Louisiana | $77,000 | $37.02 | 5,020 |
| Maine | $107,990 | $51.92 | 900 |
| Maryland | $144,680 | $69.56 | 19,060 |
| Massachusetts | $109,590 | $52.69 | 6,170 |
| Michigan | $105,680 | $50.81 | 7,440 |
| Minnesota | $91,750 | $44.11 | 4,180 |
| Mississippi | $86,940 | $41.80 | 1,450 |
| Missouri | $101,040 | $48.58 | 14,340 |
| Montana | $81,970 | $39.41 | 540 |
| Nebraska | $92,480 | $44.46 | 2,280 |
| Nevada | $100,220 | $48.18 | 2,610 |
| New Hampshire | $91,720 | $44.10 | 970 |
| New Jersey | $108,310 | $52.07 | 12,010 |
| New Mexico | $127,090 | $61.10 | 1,650 |
| New York | $116,990 | $56.25 | 11,460 |
| North Carolina | $104,850 | $50.41 | 15,090 |
| North Dakota | $78,330 | $37.66 | 730 |
| Ohio | $109,780 | $52.78 | 6,150 |
| Oklahoma | $102,520 | $49.29 | 3,320 |
| Oregon | $97,350 | $46.80 | 2,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $107,230 | $51.55 | 14,580 |
| Rhode Island | $102,210 | $49.14 | 830 |
| South Carolina | $112,260 | $53.97 | 4,300 |
| South Dakota | $105,370 | $50.66 | 240 |
| Tennessee | $76,470 | $36.77 | 10,930 |
| Texas | $111,530 | $53.62 | 57,020 |
| Utah | $97,470 | $46.86 | 6,680 |
| Vermont | $111,530 | $53.62 | 1,320 |
| Virginia | $139,030 | $66.84 | 17,000 |
| Washington | $128,940 | $61.99 | 14,360 |
| West Virginia | $107,140 | $51.51 | 3,380 |
| Wisconsin | $88,130 | $42.37 | 4,680 |
| Wyoming | $94,520 | $45.44 | 170 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 472 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
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Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 15-1299.02.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.