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Geographic Information Systems Technician

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What You Need to Know About Geographic Information Systems Technician

Example of Geographic Information Systems Technician Job 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.

Geographic Information Systems Technician Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software.
  • Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
  • Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data for use in urban planning applications that promote better land use or reduce environmental impacts of development.
  • Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.

Geographic Information Systems Technician Required 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.

  • Geographic Information Systems Technician (GIS Technician)
  • Geographical Information System Technician (GIS Technician)
  • Business Analyst
  • Technical Support Specialist
  • Geologist

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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 22,400 job openings in this field each year.

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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.

Geographic Information Systems Technician Average Salary

Geographic Information Systems Technicians make between $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.

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 & 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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Where Geographic Information Systems Technicians Work

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

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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