All About Geographic Information Systems Technicians
Geographic Information Systems Technician Job Description Assist scientists, technologists, 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.
Life As a Geographic Information Systems Technician: What Do They Do?
- Interpret aerial or ortho photographs.
- Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
- Transfer or rescale information from original photographs onto maps or other photographs.
- Confer with biologists or other researchers in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to define wildlife areas or corridors for land use planning.
- Apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data in transportation routing settings to determine the best routing to reduce pollution or energy consumption.
- Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to identify spatial relationships or display results of analyses, using maps, graphs, or tabular data.
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Geographic Information Systems Technician Needed Skills
When polled, Geographic Information Systems Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Geographic Information Systems Technician Jobs
- Global Positioning System Field Technician (GPS Field Technician)
- Technical Support Specialist
- Geospatial Technician
- Geographical Information System Technician (GIS Technician)
- Geographic Information Systems Coordinator (GIS Coordinator)
Job Opportunities for Geographic Information Systems Technicians
There were about 287,200 jobs for Geographic Information Systems Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 26,600 new jobs for Geographic Information Systems Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 22,400 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Geographic Information Systems Technician are Washington, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maryland, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Geographic Information Systems Technician Average Salary
The salary for Geographic Information Systems Technicians ranges between about $47,350 and $144,820 a year.
Geographic Information Systems Technicians who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Geographic Information Systems Technicians in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $87,060 |
| Alaska | $98,830 |
| Arizona | $85,010 |
| Arkansas | $73,670 |
| California | $103,270 |
| Colorado | $102,470 |
| Connecticut | $100,340 |
| District of Columbia | $117,540 |
| Florida | $78,900 |
| Georgia | $90,140 |
| Hawaii | $89,960 |
| Idaho | $80,610 |
| Indiana | $79,310 |
| Iowa | $78,810 |
| Kansas | $79,300 |
| Kentucky | $79,420 |
| Louisiana | $66,600 |
| Maine | $79,790 |
| Maryland | $113,330 |
| Massachusetts | $92,110 |
| Michigan | $76,400 |
| Minnesota | $81,650 |
| Mississippi | $81,280 |
| Missouri | $82,610 |
| Montana | $68,430 |
| Nebraska | $86,230 |
| Nevada | $72,610 |
| New Hampshire | $112,440 |
| New Jersey | $99,210 |
| New Mexico | $79,540 |
| New York | $90,750 |
| North Carolina | $88,650 |
| North Dakota | $70,730 |
| Ohio | $82,440 |
| Oklahoma | $78,490 |
| Oregon | $79,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,040 |
| Rhode Island | $81,290 |
| South Carolina | $92,100 |
| South Dakota | $81,250 |
| Tennessee | $74,000 |
| Texas | $90,290 |
| Utah | $76,890 |
| Vermont | $72,220 |
| Virginia | $105,270 |
| Washington | $91,620 |
| West Virginia | $83,660 |
| Wisconsin | $74,600 |
| Wyoming | $75,780 |
What Tools do Geographic Information Systems Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Geographic Information Systems Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Extensible markup language XML
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Geographic information system GIS software
Becoming a Geographic Information Systems Technician
What kind of Geographic Information Systems Technician requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Geographic Information Systems Technician?
Where Geographic Information Systems Technicians Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Geographic Information Systems Technicians employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Geographic Information Systems Technician may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Geographic Information Systems Technician in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: The Opte Project via Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic
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