4 Reasons To Pursue a Career in GIS

It is a great time for geographic information systems (GIS) careers. Geographic tools are more accessible and more powerful than ever. Cloud-based applications allow users to work nearly anywhere, while crowd-sourced information has fueled a massive global dataset. Drones can create nearly instantaneous maps, while LiDAR sensors are building remarkable 3D worlds in real-time.

If these advancements excite you and you are intrigued by how geospatial approaches can change your industry, a career in the dynamic, ever-evolving field of geospatial sciences may be a great option for you. Here are four reasons why GIS careers may be some of the best ones out there.

• Reason #1: GIS jobs salaries are competitive
• Reason #2: The industry has a positive job and career outlook
• Reason #3: Choose from a variety of opportunities to match your goals
• Reason #4: Make a difference

#1: Competitive Salaries

Given the many ways we use GIS technology to solve problems, it’s no surprise that job research site Zippia projects the demand for GIS analysts, technicians and similar jobs will increase 9% through 2028.

That demand is translating to higher GIS salaries: median salaries are at their highest point in years for jobs that ask for geographic information system skills, according to the labor database Lightcast.

Median Salary by GIS Skill

Source: Lightcast, 2024

Median Salary for GIS Jobs* and Number of Job Postings

Advertised salaries for jobs in the GIS field have risen by over 23.7% since March 2021.

A visualization of the median advertised wages that appear in job postings that ask for geographic information systems skills or GIS skills. While there have been rises and dips, overall median salaries have risen over 20% the past two years.

*GIS Jobs are defined as job roles requiring skills in “GIS” or “Geographic Information Systems”

Source: Lightcast, 2024

Professionals with GIS training are employed in a wide variety of roles. Median salaries range from $47,174 to $164,070, with pay varying based on position and experience level. Some of the highest paying GIS jobs are at the managerial level. Here is how much some of these roles pay on average based on job title:

Source: Lightcast, 2024

At USC, many students report above-average salaries, with 55% of graduates employed at $75,000 or higher, as reported in USC GIST’s 2020 Student Outcome Survey.

In addition, 57% of graduates report a pay increase after graduating from USC, making a master’s in geographic information science and technology a worthwhile investment. For more information on GIS as a career, plus outcomes and opportunities, visit USC’s GIS Careers page.

#2: Join a Growing Field

The GIS market is projected to reach $134.23 billion by 2030, according to an Emergen Research report in Directions Magazine. This translates to a positive job outlook for the GIS field – total demand for roles requiring geographic information skills have increased by 98% from 2021 to 2023, according to Lightcast.

Why Are GIS Jobs in Demand?

Different sources point to different reasons for this growth, but some commonalities include: increased government funding for GIS projects; the need for maps that can guide urban planning; a telecommunications sector moving to 5G; and the accelerated adoption of AI and machine learning.

Government Investment Is Driving GIS Demand

While GIS has long been utilized by the military, more and more federal, state and local institutions are investing in GIS solutions to manage data related to transportation, utilities, land use and more. They can track air quality in parks, rehabilitate deteriorating neighborhoods and improve the voting process.

An example of this investment is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed in 2022. Among the $1 trillion in funding is money for projects like universal broadband and autonomous vehicles, both of which require advanced geospatial technology as well as advanced management and planning skills. (Fittingly, the public can track funds from the bill via a GIS-supported dashboard.)

Mapping Is Key to Future GIS Job Growth

The World Bank estimates that the global urban population will double in size by 2050, with almost 70% of all people living in cities. Urban areas need to ensure tenable growth that maintains a decent quality of life to its new and existing inhabitants. This is fueling a need for those who can visualize the rapid population changes and implement geographic data-driven solutions that improve the efficiency, sustainability and livability of cities.

Maps built from geospatial data can help urban planners track land-use patterns over time. They can predict how their decisions might impact the growth and development of a city. When policymakers weigh the approval of new developments in their district, their decisions can be influenced by maps that show access to transportation, proximity to amenities and services, and any detrimental health factors.

Telecommunications Is Improving GIS Capabilities — and Vice Versa

A United Nations report on geospatial trends lists connectivity as the “most critical enabler of digital transformation over the next 10 years.” That report also notes that advances in next-gen mobile technology will revolutionize the way data moves.

That same UN report points to the rollout of 5G as a game changer for emerging GIS technologies propelled by the arrival of ultra-fast speeds and what it calls “ubiquitous connectivity.” But they note that the biggest impediment is the speed of deployment. In order to improve efficiency and deal with 5G’s more easily blocked signals, telecom companies are using spatial analysis to create precise visualizations of an optimal network.

GIS Professionals Must Be Ready for AI and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools are becoming more than helpful — they are becoming necessary. The amount of data available to us is staggering; Cisco estimates that the Internet of Things alone produces 5 quintillion data bytes a day. By automating some routine tasks, GIS professionals can focus on tasks that require more creativity and critical thinking.

Combine AI and machine learning tools with open-source GIS mapping software and cloud-based applications, and GIS professionals across industries can create sophisticated visualizations without limits from technology availability or capability. These add up to incredible opportunities for those who understand how to harness these possibilities.

As artificial intelligence and machine learning become more accessible to industries beyond the sciences, there will be a need for specialists who can navigate these applications and make use of the results. While automation might eliminate some roles that deal with more rote responsibilities, it will open up more positions and career growth for those who have enhanced skill sets.

#3: Flexible Opportunities to Match Your Goals

GIS jobs make for great careers, but there is not a singular path for those with geospatial skills. Graduates of GIS programs are not limited to one industry or location. You can find a position that fits your ideal working life and that follows the ways you want to impact the world.

• GIS careers can accommodate both those who like the structured setting of an office and others who prefer the outdoors.
• For those who want to work from home or from a different state than their organization, many GIS jobs are fully remote.
• The public, private and nonprofit sectors all employ GIS professions.
• GIS specialists are also in demand across industries — agriculture, emergency management, environmental services, finance, health care, forestry, real estate, retail, transportation, sustainable energy, telecommunications and so many more.

GIS Careers: Work Across Industries

#4: Make a Difference

With GIS technology capable of processing and analyzing increasingly complex data sets, societies can address challenging problems of both small and large scales more effectively. The geographic data collected today provides a comprehensive perspective and shines light on solutions.

Consider an issue that plagued essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: childcare. Many families struggled to find alternative solutions when schools went remote. To help caregivers, the state used GIS technology to create an online, interactive dashboard that showed open childcare facilities within a school district. A team built the map based on geographic data provided by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. They included important details from the State Emergency Operations Center such as facility addresses, hours of operation, contact information and alternative sites.

GIS also helps organizations that provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Every year in January, cities across the country conduct a count of all shelters and unhoused people in their area. Called the point-in-time (PIT) count, the Department of Housing and Urban Development requires this count in order to receive federal funds. In 2022, the City of Frederick, Maryland, switched from pen and paper to ArcGIS.

The change allowed them to process surveys in real time and later create visualizations accessible to volunteers, donors and community members. This more accurate, time-saving count meant that organizations could more effectively deploy resources and that staff could focus more on providing needed services.

About USC’s GIS Graduate Programs

The University of Southern California offers a comprehensive selection of online and residential GIS programs. This includes both GIS master’s degrees and GIS graduate certificates. Click on the programs below to learn about our leading geographic information science education.

GIS Master’s Degrees

• Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) – Online and Residential
• Master’s in Geodesign, Environment and Health – Residential
• Master of Science in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence – Online and Residential
• Master of Science in Spatial Data Science – Online and Residential
• Master of Science in Spatial Economics and Data Analysis – Online and Residential
• Master of Arts in Global Security Studies – Residential

GIS Graduate Certificates

• Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) – Online and Residential
• Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence – Online and Residential
• Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Leadership – Online and Residential
• Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing for Earth Observation – Online and Residential