Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
SOC code 15-1299 · O*NET-SOC 15-1299.02 · Considerable preparation needed · Computer and IT
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$116,580
a year
Hourly
$56.05
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$122,230
$58.77 per hour
Middle 50%
$79,370 – $157,500
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$55,940 – $188,470
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
435,370
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Computer Occupations, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $55,940
- $26.89/hr
- 25th percentile
- $79,370
- $38.16/hr
- Median percentile
- $116,580
- $56.05/hr
- 75th percentile
- $157,500
- $75.72/hr
- 90th percentile
- $188,470
- $90.61/hr
What do geographic information systems technologists and technicians 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Create, analyze, report, convert, or transfer data, using specialized applications program software.
- Design, program, or model Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications or procedures.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a geographic information systems technologists and technicians earn?
The national median is $116,580 a year. The full range runs from $55,940 at the 10th percentile to $188,470 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a geographic information systems technologists and technicians without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Active Listening3.5/5
- Writing3.4/5
- Speaking3.4/5
- Monitoring3.4/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Geography4.4/5
- Computers and Electronics4.2/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Engineering and Technology3.4/5
- Design3.3/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
- Administrative3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination.