Careers in GIS

Median Annual Salary: $72,600 (Lightcast)

In addition to collecting geographic information, GIS analysts review that data and interpret it. This role often involves creating visual representations of available data and advising decision makers about how that information should impact their next steps.

Median Annual Salary: $92,400 (Lightcast)

GIS managers work closely with other GIS professionals, including analysts and technicians, to oversee projects and make sure everyone has the resources they need to perform their specialized tasks. They may also handle budgets, strategy and timelines.

Median Annual Salary: $109,300 (Lightcast)

These GIS specialists work in software development for geographic information systems. Their roles may focus on developing and testing new software features and tools or on maintaining existing applications.

Median Annual Salary: $137,000 (Lightcast)

Data analysis in GIS usually focuses on collecting, analyzing and interpreting data, both through geographic information systems and more traditional research methods. Then, this spatial data analysis is translated into messaging and insights that people in other departments and the general public can understand. In addition, geospatial data scientists build the algorithms and models that enable data analysis.

Median Annual Salary: $114,400 (Lightcast)

In addition to gathering and analyzing data, geospatial engineers make recommendations about how things should be built or manufactured based on the geographic information they collect. In military roles, they may also provide data visualizations for soldiers to help them prepare for unfamiliar terrain.

Median Annual Salary: $75,100 (Lightcast)

These scientists specialize in studying the natural world around us, including but not limited to the atmosphere, soil, bodies of water, natural resources and potential hazards. They may focus on using the information they gather to learn about the past, prepare for the future, or identify new areas and concepts that we should explore.

Median Annual Salary: $57,200 (Lightcast)

Using computer-aided design (CAD), these technicians create 2D and 3D models of projects to test how they might work and show others what the finished product might look like. CAD technicians usually work with architects, designers and engineers to test models and create detailed technical advice for people in construction or manufacturing.

Median Annual Salary: $78,100 (Lightcast)

A cartographer uses geographic data to create, update and add detail to maps. While few people use printed maps on a regular basis anymore, digital maps in a variety of mobile and web applications are used every day, from planning a road trip to tracking an evening run.

Median Annual Salary: $71,000 (Lightcast)

These scientists learn about the past by studying the structures and objects left behind from human activities. They may analyze human remains, structures, artwork, ritual objects, weapons and more. Often, archaeologists will use GIS to plan their excavations, both for finding the most fruitful areas for investigation and what tools they may need to dig safely and respectfully.

Median Annual Salary: $71,000 (Lightcast)

Environmental scientists use information from the natural world to identify and learn about challenges our environment is facing. Their research can help to protect human health and the environment as they discover problems and help businesses, nonprofits and governments develop solutions. Developing GIS skills can help environmental scientists build a more sustainable future for humanity.

Median Annual Salary: $75,100 (Lightcast)

Land surveyors often work out in the field, taking and recording measurements that guide construction, development and real estate projects. By helping people and businesses understand where the boundaries of their properties are, surveyors ensure that projects aren’t infringing on others’ properties or negatively impacting the environment.

Median Annual Salary: $79,200 (Lightcast)

These GIS professionals focus on meeting the needs of urban communities by developing plans for how land will be used and what facilities should be built where to ensure accessible and effective use. While they may travel to specific work sites, they usually are in an office setting.

Median Annual Salary: $79,700 (Lightcast)

Hydrologists focus their GIS skills on water, studying how it moves and is distributed across and beneath the Earth’s surface. They also study water quality and may make recommendations to improve water quality for human consumption and the environment as a whole. They often collaborate with climate scientists on their research.

Median Annual Salary: $107,400 (Lightcast)

These roles are most common within law enforcement, the military and other government agencies, though some intelligence analysts may work in the private sector, too. These GIS specialists gather data and work with their colleagues and other departments to identify potential threats and discover vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

There are a wide variety of degrees in GIS that are specialized to different career goals and interest areas. At the USC Spatial Sciences Institute, we offer a variety of programs, including six master’s degrees, that are all customized to different career pathways in GIS and the spatial sciences.

The type of GIS degree that is right for you will depend on your career goals. The two traditional GIS master’s degrees we offer are:

• M.S. in Geographic Information Science and Technology: This master’s degree focuses on the holistic picture of GIS, with an emphasis on technical communication. It is best suited to professionals who are interested in becoming leaders in GIS, especially in the academic and private sectors, but government and military roles are extremely common as well.
• M.S. in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence: This option is for people who thrive in fast-paced environments and want to learn more about threat response, risk management and disaster planning. The roles these graduates pursue will usually be in government, military or security organizations, but there are a wealth of private sector roles available as well.

If you are interested in GIS but don’t want to commit to a full master’s program, a GIS graduate certificate can be a great way to develop some GIS skills and decide if further education is right for you.

Yes, GIS professionals are highly in demand. Surveying and mapping technician roles in the U.S. alone are projected to increase at a rate of 5% through 2034, which is faster than the average across all industries. The global GIS industry is also projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% through 2034, leading to a near doubling of its market size.

Some roles are growing much faster than this, especially technical and leadership roles. But with transferable skills, GIS graduates usually have significant career mobility and can enjoy competitive salaries.

The highest paid GIS professionals that we’ve covered here are geospatial data scientists, who earn a median salary of $137,000. These professionals receive such a high salary for a number of reasons, but mostly it is due to their extremely advanced technical expertise.

Data scientists are experts in data analysis, but they also create algorithms and statistical models that enable analysis to happen in the first place. And of course, these professionals have expertise in a variety of GIS areas in order to interpret data effectively and meaningfully.