Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Career, Salary and Skills
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $116,580 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 435,370. Wage data is published for 396 locations.
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.
O*NET code
15-1299.02
Job zone
4
Typical education
Not recorded
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$116,580
Hourly median
$56.05
Employment
435,370
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$55,940
10th
$79,370
25th
$116,580
Median
$157,500
75th
$188,470
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.62 | 4.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Active Listening | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Speaking | 3.38 | 3.25 |
| Writing | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | 3.38 | 3.62 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Active Learning | 3.12 | 3.50 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
Technology
- ADO.NET
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe ActionScript
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Agronomic modeling software
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Apple iOS
- ArcGIS Web AppBuilder
- Atlassian JIRA
- Autodesk AutoCAD
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in CAMedian $134,440 · Employment 80,150
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in TXMedian $111,530 · Employment 57,020
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in GAMedian $104,610 · Employment 20,630
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $109,700 · Employment 20,060
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $127,360 · Employment 19,540
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in MDMedian $144,680 · Employment 19,060
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in DCMedian $156,590 · Employment 17,200
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in VAMedian $139,030 · Employment 17,000
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in San Francisco, CAMedian $161,700 · Employment 16,930
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in San Jose, CAMedian $184,430 · Employment 16,680
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in New York, NYMedian $126,910 · Employment 16,230
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in NCMedian $104,850 · Employment 15,090
Related careers
- Business Intelligence AnalystsNational median $120,230
- Computer ProgrammersNational median $100,390
- StatisticiansNational median $105,650
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic TechniciansNational median $53,350
- Computer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsNational median $116,580
- Statistical AssistantsNational median $50,330
- Data Warehousing SpecialistsNational median $139,500
- Software DevelopersNational median $135,980
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.