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Geographic Information Systems Technician

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What You Need to Know About Geographic Information Systems Technician

Geographic Information Systems Technician Example 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.

A Day in the Life of a Geographic Information Systems Technician

  • Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to identify spatial relationships or display results of analyses, using maps, graphs, or tabular data.
  • Recommend procedures or equipment or software upgrades to increase data accessibility or ease of use.
  • Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software.
  • 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.
  • Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
  • Participate in projects that map changes in carbon emissions levels across different geographic locations, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data.

Geographic Information Systems Technician Needed Skills

Geographic Information Systems Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

  • Geospatial Technician
  • Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist)
  • Global Positioning Systems Analyst Technician (GPS Analyst Technician)
  • Geologist
  • Geographic Information Systems Specialist (GIS Specialist)

Is There Going to be Demand for Geographic Information Systems Technicians?

In the United States, there were 287,200 jobs for Geographic Information Systems Technician in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 22,400 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

Salary for a Geographic Information Systems Technician

The salary for Geographic Information Systems Technicians ranges between about $47,350 and $144,820 a year.

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Geographic Information Systems Technicians who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.

How much do Geographic Information Systems Technicians make in each U.S. state?

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 & Technology do Geographic Information Systems Technicians Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Geographic Information Systems Technicians:

  • 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?

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What work experience do I need to become a Geographic Information Systems Technician?

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Who Employs Geographic Information Systems Technicians?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Geographic Information Systems Technicians employed by various industries.

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Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Geographic Information Systems Technician may also be interested in:

Career changers with experience as a Geographic Information Systems Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: The Opte Project via Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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