CDCareer Decision

Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians Salary in Ames, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians in Ames, IA have a median annual salary of $92,310, with 160 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $36,720 at the 10th percentile to $161,530 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$92,310

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$44.38

Employment

160

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$36,720
10th
$74,650
25th
$92,310
Median
$129,800
75th
$161,530
90th

Local compared with national

Ames, IA

$92,310

Median annual · 2025

United States

$116,580

Median annual · 2025

The Ames, IA median is 20.8% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $24,270).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.6
  3. 3.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.6
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.5
  5. 5.WritingImportance 3.4
  6. 6.SpeakingImportance 3.4
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.4
  8. 8.Active LearningImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  10. 10.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.9
  12. 12.ProgrammingImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • 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
  • Autodesk Land Desktop

Common 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.
  • 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.
  • Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software.
  • Meet with clients to discuss topics such as technical specifications, customized solutions, or operational problems.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians salary in other locations

Other occupations in Ames, IA