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: Cartographic Technician (Cartographic Tech), Field GIS Technician (Field Geographic Information Systems Technician), Geospatial Analyst, Geospatial Engineer, Geospatial Information Technologist, Geospatial Specialist
Median pay
$116,580
Pay for the broader BLS group “Computer Occupations, All Other”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$55,940 – $188,470
People employed
435,370
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CIR
Conventional · Investigative · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 4.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 5.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 6.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 7.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 8.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Computer Occupations, All Other”.
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians salary in every state →
What geographic information systems technologists and technicians do
- 01Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
- 02Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
- 03Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
- 04Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
- 05Enter 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.
- 06Interpret aerial or ortho photographs.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from geographic information systems technologists and technicians
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists90% · —
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists87% · group pay
- Geodetic Surveyors86% · group pay
- Remote Sensing Technicians86% · group pay
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians84% · —
Change into geographic information systems technologists and technicians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists90% · $81,390
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists90% · $122,570
- Geodetic Surveyors86% · $75,440
- Remote Sensing Technicians86% · $62,280
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians82% · $54,240
Majors that lead here
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
- Information Science/Studies
- Computer Science
- Information Technology Project Management
- Bioinformatics
- Computational Biology
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Accounting and Computer Science
- Computational Science
- Human Computer Interaction
- Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.