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:
- Half of all cartographers and photogrammetrists earned between $32,580 and
$55,610.
- Half of all surveyors earned between $29,320 and $53,440.
- 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.
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