MapPros! Careers in Geospatial Technologies

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do I need formal academic training?
You’ll find it helpful to have some formal training in geospatial technologies. A two- or four-year college degree in geospatial technologies should enable you to get a job, but you don’t have to major in geospatial technologies to develop first-rate geospatial skills.

For example, many geospatial technology professionals have bachelor degrees in geography, because colleges commonly offer courses in geospatial technologies through their geography departments. Many professionals who use geospatial technologies have college degrees in their fields of interest (such as environmental sciences, natural resources, urban planning, economics, health, criminology, etc.) They develop skills in geospatial technologies through college courses, on the job training, and/or through post-college coursework.

Most employers also look for practical experience. In addition to looking for ways to develop practical skills through your coursework, you can gain valuable practical experience through internships, volunteer projects and part-time jobs.

Where can I go to school for GSTs?
There are many certificate and college programs in geospatial technologies. Click here to open a web site with extensive lists of colleges and universities around the world that offer educational programs in geospatial technologies. You can also search for GIS education programs using Directions Magazine’s search tool.

What other options are there for training in GSTs?
There are individual training courses available in traditional classroom settings or online. Click here for a list of online training opportunities. Lists of classroom training opportunities are available at: http://www.gisdevelopment.net/education/training/index.htm

Can I find an internship or participate in a job shadow where I can learn more about GSTs?
Yes, many professionals who use geospatial technologies are willing to talk with students and may let you spend some time with them so you can learn more about their job. Some may even be able to help you find an internship.

How can I meet professionals who use geospatial technologies?
One easy way is to attend a GIS Day event near you. GIS Day is an international event that brings GIS users and GIS exhibitors together in central locations so the general public can learn more about GIS and its associated technologies. For more information about GIS Day and to find a GIS day event near you, see http://www.gisday.com/. Other places to find people who use geospatial technologies include local and state planning offices, departments of transportation, and natural resources agencies and organizations. Visit our Informational Interviews page for more information.

What other skills would be useful when working with geospatial technologies?
As access to geospatial technologies increases and more data, tools, and resources are posted to the web, there is an increasing demand for people with computer programming, database, and other more traditional Information Technology (IT) skills. Coursework and/or experience in these areas will likely broaden your job opportunities. Written and oral communication skills are useful for many positions.

Check out the profiles of geospatial professionals to learn about the skills that they think are useful for their jobs.

Will I find a job in GSTs?
Job prospects for those with skills in geospatial technologies look bright. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that, between 2002 and 2012, jobs for people with skills in geospatial technologies, such as surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying technicians, will grow 10 percent to 20 percent.

The federal administration has identified geospatial technologies as one of 12 priority sectors for the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative, again indicating the importance of this field to the national economy and the likelihood that there will be increasing job opportunities.

Will I have time for interests other than work?
Yes! Professionals in geospatial technologies have friends and families and enjoy a wide range of interests and activities outside of their work. Check out these profiles of geospatial professionals to see for yourself.

What do I have to wear?
It depends on the job and the company or organization you work for. Geospatial professionals typically wear jeans, sneaker or boots, and other practical clothes when working outside. In office or classroom settings, they may wear “business casual” clothes that are neat but not necessarily formal. When they attend meetings with administrators or clients, the same professionals may need to dress up in more formal clothes—suits and ties for men, suits or dresses for women. In general though, it’s more common to see geospatial professionals in casual clothing than in more formal attire.

How much money can I make?
Salaries vary depending on the person’s experience, education, position, employer and location. GeoSearch listed the following salary ranges in the nationwide 2003 Salary Survey for the Geospatial Sciences. See the complete report for additional job titles, job descriptions and instructions to calculate the salary ranges for your area.

Job Title

Lowest Salary

Actual Average Salary

Highest Salary

GIS Manager / Coordinator

$51,850

$69,528

$81,516

GIS Project Manager

48,023

58,869

75,834

GPS / Survey Manager

50,390

62,994

76,772

Stereoplotter Operator (all levels)

25,790

43,013

47,784

GIS Programmer
(Junior & Senior)

37,010

63,903

75,995

GIS Specialist
(Junior & Senior)

38,765

57,462

68,255

GIS Technician

31,028

34,801

45,848

GIS Database Manager

51,750

64,500

74,450

Raster/Vector Technician

35,840

41,530

50,020

Digital Ortho Image Technician

27,287

34,336

45,268

Quality Assurance Analyst

38,862

49,164

64,487

GPS Surveyor/Technician

29,236

38,171

47,410

GPS Programmer

53,138

63,800

74,500

Aerial Photographer

30,347

36,806

39,341

Programmer/Analyst
(Junior & Senior)

39,544

70,732

79,560

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published these 2002 salary statistics:

  1. Half of all cartographers and photogrammetrists earned between $32,580 and $55,610.
  2. Half of all surveyors earned between $29,320 and $53,440.
  3. Half of all surveying and mapping technicians earned between $22,640 and $39,070.

2003 Federal Government Average Salaries:
land surveyors - $62,980
cartographers - $67,989
geodetic technicians - $55,374
surveying technicians - $33,316
cartographic technicians - $43,517

You may also be interested in several informal salary surveys available at the following web sites: Clark University, GISLounge.com, GISJobs.com, and the University of Florida.

Where can I get more information?
Visit our Professional Profile pages to meet some professionals in the field or our Student Profiles pages to meet some current students and recent graduates who are putting their education to work. Our Links page can take you to other web sites that may interest you.