# Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

> Assist scientists 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians
- SOC code: 15-1299.02
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $116,580 (10th percentile $55,940, 90th percentile $188,470)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.1%
- Openings a year: 27,000
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Computer occupations, all other".

## Interest profile (code CIR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 54 |
| Investigative (I) | 70 |
| Artistic (A) | 22 |
| Social (S) | 16 |
| Enterprising (E) | 16 |
| Conventional (C) | 81 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 86/100)
- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Processing Information (importance 82/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 81/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 80/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 76/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 75/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 74/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 74/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 72/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking, Writing, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination

## Knowledge

Geography, Computers and Electronics, English Language, Engineering and Technology, Design, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service, Administrative, Education and Training, Administration and Management

## Also called

Cartographic Technician (Cartographic Tech), Field GIS Technician (Field Geographic Information Systems Technician), Geospatial Analyst, Geospatial Engineer, Geospatial Information Technologist, Geospatial Specialist, Geospatial Technician, Geospatial Technologist, GIS Admin (Geographic Information Systems Administrator), GIS Analyst (Geographic Information System Analyst)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1101) (CIP 1101, 1,547 colleges)
- [Chemistry](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4005) (CIP 4005, 1,371 colleges)
- [Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1110) (CIP 1110, 1,184 colleges)
- [Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1107) (CIP 1107, 1,070 colleges)
- [Security Science and Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4304) (CIP 4304, 513 colleges)
- [Information Science/Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1104) (CIP 1104, 446 colleges)
- [Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2611) (CIP 2611, 200 colleges)
- [Medical Illustration and Informatics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5127) (CIP 5127, 178 colleges)
- [Data Processing](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1103) (CIP 1103, 149 colleges)
- [Mathematics and Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3008) (CIP 3008, 113 colleges)
- [Computational Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3030) (CIP 3030, 109 colleges)
- [Human Computer Interaction](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3031) (CIP 3031, 60 colleges)
- Accounting and Computer Science (CIP 3016, 17 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Computer Science | $173,492 | $268,121 | $19,000 |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $143,850 | $241,380 | $11,000 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Computer Science | $171,815 | $225,141 | $10,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Computer Science | $151,551 | $223,309 | $12,500 |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Computer Science | $155,162 | $217,973 | not reported |
| [Pomona College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pomona-college-2139) | Computer Science | $100,072 | $217,051 | not reported |
| [Stanford University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stanford-university-2589) | Computer Science | $157,763 | $214,907 | $12,000 |
| [Brown University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brown-university-314) | Computer Science | $141,816 | $214,479 | $15,000 |

## Related careers

- [Surveying and Mapping Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surveying-and-mapping-technicians): $54,240 median pay
- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Cartographers and Photogrammetrists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cartographers-and-photogrammetrists): $81,390 median pay
- [Geographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographers): $102,040 median pay
- [Geodetic Surveyors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geodetic-surveyors): $75,440 median pay
- [Database Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-architects): $139,500 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.