Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist
Impact: Analytical
GIS specialists play a pivotal role in managing and leveraging GIS resources, collecting, analyzing, and showcasing geospatial data. They are responsible for creating and maintaining Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, which are used to collect, store, and analyze geographic information. Their duties include performing data and layer maintenance, programming GIS, creating digital maps, and developing and maintaining comprehensive GIS data.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- Team-oriented
- Client facing
- Rarely
- Impact visibility
- Moderate
- Travel
- Low
- Schedule flexibility
- Moderate
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 40 hours/week
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $75,000
- Entry-level
- $60,000
- Senior
- $95,000
- Growth by 2033
- Above Average
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $30,000 - $50,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- GIS Software (ArcGIS
- QGIS)
- Data Analysis
- Python Programming
Soft skills
- Problem-solving
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5
- Years to senior
- 10
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- GIS Analyst
- GIS Specialist
- Senior GIS Specialist
- GIS Manager
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Medium
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.5/10
- Prestige
- 6.5/10
- Social perception
- High