Job title · SOC 17-1021, 15-1299

GIS Analyst / Specialist

Also known as: gis analyst

Overview

Sourced

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

O*NET definition of Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.

All computer occupations not listed separately.

O*NET definition of Computer Occupations, All Other (SOC 15-1299).

6,960

in government (SOC 17-1021)

49%

of this occupation works for government

$83,360

median pay in government

State · Local

levels of government

Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 17-1021, including IT Specialist (government).

Titles employers use

CartographerPhotogrammetric TechnicianPhotogrammetristStereo CompilerAerial PhotogrammetristCartographic DesignerDigital CartographerMapperStereoplotter Operator

How people usually get in Editorial

GIS certificate/degree. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Sourced

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 17-1021)

Education needed to enter: Bachelor's degree
Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: None

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 15-1299)

Education needed to enter: Bachelor's degree
Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: None

Education workers say the job requires

Post-Secondary Certificate

36%

Some College Courses

11%

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

11%

Bachelor's Degree

30%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Master's Degree

11%

Share of surveyed workers in Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021) naming each level as required to be hired, 21 respondents, O*NET survey August 2018. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

How to get hired

Sourced

Cartographers and photogrammetrists typically need a bachelor's degree in cartography, geography, geomatics, surveying, or a related field.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Cartographers and Photogrammetrists”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Academy and training

Sourced

Training to become competent (BLS)

SOC 17-1021: None
SOC 15-1299: None

Preparation level (O*NET)

Job zone: Considerable Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Civil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

Trainee / Assistant
Level I
Level II (journey)
Level III / Senior
Lead / Principal
Supervisor
Manager
Director / Division Chief

Source: GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial).

Pay

Sourced

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021)

Federal

$109,300

State

$76,040

Local

$82,200

All government

$83,360

Private sector

$81,080

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer type	Workers	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
Federal	520	$83,780	$94,520	$109,300	$128,790	$147,870
State	590	$56,430	$65,690	$76,040	$95,220	$110,990
Local	5,850	$56,760	$66,820	$82,200	$101,480	$122,370
All government	6,960	$57,600	$68,150	$83,360	$102,980	$124,270
Private sector	7,300	$51,000	$63,850	$81,080	$100,310	$131,270

Computer Occupations, All Other (SOC 15-1299)

Federal

$128,440

State

$85,180

Local

$77,050

All government

$119,250

Private sector

$113,430

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer type	Workers	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
Federal	87,700	$85,400	$104,770	$128,440	$153,480	$175,720
State	10,200	$48,610	$65,390	$85,180	$109,480	$133,520
Local	13,290	$43,320	$57,290	$77,050	$100,540	$125,930
All government	111,190	$69,910	$92,930	$119,250	$147,220	$170,980
Private sector	324,180	$52,950	$75,640	$113,430	$161,860	$204,420

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match GIS Analyst / Specialist in 24 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

State	Job classes in the state plan	Annual range
Alabama	Gis Technician, Gis Technician, SR, Gis Specialist, Gis Specialist, Senior 4 classes · effective September 1, 2026 · Alabama State Personnel Department	$35,424 – $109,982
Arizona	GIS Technician, GIS Specialist, GIS Analyst, GIS Analyst Senior 6 classes · effective July 9, 2022 · Arizona Department of Administration, Human Resources Division	$31,909 – $100,989
Arkansas	GIS Analyst, Senior GIS Analyst, State GIS Analyst 3 classes · effective July 1, 2025 · Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management	$60,416 – $119,274
Connecticut	Geographic Information Systems Technician, Geographic Information Systems Technician (37.5 Hour), Geographic Information Systems Technician (40 Hour) 3 classes · effective June 26, 2026 · Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources	$53,336 – $83,630
Georgia	GIS Spec 1–3, GIS Spec 1 Non Exempt, GIS Spec 2 Non Exempt, GIS Spec 3 Non Exempt 6 classes · effective July 10, 2024 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation	$35,619 – $81,720
Idaho	GIS Analyst I–III 3 classes · effective June 8, 2025 · Idaho Division of Human Resources	$54,766 – $141,045
Illinois	Geographic Information Specialist I–II 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Illinois Department of Central Management Services	$77,520 – $149,964
Indiana	GIS Analyst, GIS Specialist 2 classes · Indiana State Personnel Department	$61,022 – $130,546
Kentucky	GIS Analyst I–III 3 classes · effective September 16, 2026 · Kentucky Personnel Cabinet	$40,071 – $73,836
Louisiana	Gis Analyst 1–3, Gis Specialist 4 classes · effective January 5, 2024 · Louisiana Department of State Civil Service	$38,168 – $103,064
Maryland	Gis Analyst I–III, Gis Analyst Lead/Advanced 4 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM)	$55,710 – $120,814
Massachusetts	GIS Analyst I, GIS Specialist II–III 3 classes · effective July 12, 2026 · Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD)	$75,826 – $157,374
Mississippi	GIS Specialist I–II 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Mississippi State Personnel Board	$40,138 – $79,004
Missouri	Geographic Information Systems Technician, Geographic Information Systems Specialist 2 classes · effective July 1, 2025 · Missouri Office of Administration, Division of Personnel	$34,992 – $77,400
Nevada	GIS Analyst Trainee, GIS Analyst I–IV 5 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM)	$54,434 – $120,123
New Jersey	Geographic Information Systems Specialist Trainee, Geographic Information Systems Specialist 3–1 8 classes · effective July 11, 2026 · New Jersey Civil Service Commission	$60,876 – $141,386
New Mexico	IT GIS Specialist, Senior IT GIS Specialist 2 classes · effective July 4, 2026 · New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification	$68,886 – $113,663
Oklahoma	Geographic Information Systems Technician I–III, Geographic Information Systems Specialist I–III 6 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management	$36,100 – $144,523
Pennsylvania	Geospatial Analyst 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration	$69,086 – $111,956
South Carolina	Geospatial Analyst I–II 2 classes · South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources	$46,206 – $105,978
South Dakota	GIS Analyst, GIS Specialist 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes	$49,005 – $89,003
Tennessee	Gis Analyst Int, Tdec Gis Analyst, Gis Analyst Adv, +2 more 5 classes · effective September 1, 2026 · Tennessee Department of Human Resources	$54,744 – $124,356
Texas	Geographic Information Specialist I–V 5 classes · effective September 1, 2025 · Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team	$45,521 – $129,430
Utah	GIS Analyst, GIS Analyst, Career Service Exempt, Senior GIS Analyst 3 classes · effective June 21, 2025 · Utah Department of Government Operations, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM)	$41,163 – $87,984

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 24 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

Schedule

Sourced

Work schedule

Regular

88%

Irregular

12%

Seasonal

Typical work week

Less than 40 hours

11%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2018). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Day-to-day work

Sourced

Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.4.5
Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.4.5
Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.4.5
Study legal records to establish boundaries of local, national, and international properties.4.3
Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.4.2
Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.4.2
Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.4.1
Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.4.0
Examine and analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics, and related charts.4.0
Build and update digital databases.3.8

The 10 most important of 11 core tasks for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2018.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

State	Workers	10th pct.	Median	90th pct.
California	1,450	$63,080	$102,780	$135,490
Minnesota	100	$71,620	$99,850	$125,660
Washington	870	$66,250	$96,100	$128,100
Nevada	180	$67,040	$93,560	$121,000
Massachusetts	160	$72,770	$92,230	$158,370
New York	230	$37,530	$89,290	$126,170
Alaska	60	$69,610	$89,170	$116,900
New Jersey	170	$63,790	$88,480	$122,660
Oregon	640	$61,460	$88,240	$121,560
Colorado	1,220	$61,060	$86,960	$130,310
Virginia	860	$59,480	$86,660	$122,480
Oklahoma	70	$61,570	$86,410	$132,220
Iowa	90	$57,600	$84,570	$105,300
Maryland	450	$58,870	$84,360	$131,810
Connecticut	150	$52,470	$84,100	$122,430
Arizona	400	$58,400	$82,260	$114,770
Nebraska	50	$45,410	$81,500	$119,620
North Carolina	900	$59,110	$81,080	$99,270
Florida	610	$59,410	$79,650	$109,110
New Mexico	70	$48,040	$79,200	$113,970
Maine	40	$52,580	$78,670	$102,430
Missouri	170	$50,290	$76,950	$116,430
Wisconsin	260	$54,400	$76,760	$112,510
Utah	150	$50,100	$75,220	$109,990
Michigan	250	$57,720	$75,090	$98,350
Indiana	40	$40,860	$74,800	$98,380
Texas	1,780	$43,040	$73,970	$138,390
Pennsylvania	140	$53,490	$73,180	$102,820
Tennessee	150	$59,070	$72,990	$100,630
Idaho	100	$51,790	$72,930	$96,100
South Dakota	140	$42,300	$72,910	$96,600
South Carolina	150	$49,280	$72,260	$103,220
Montana	160	$44,590	$72,220	$91,560
New Hampshire	70	$43,850	$72,130	$104,990
Kentucky	90	$46,970	$71,470	$105,950
North Dakota	80	$37,390	$71,070	$97,910
Ohio	490	$47,400	$70,990	$103,000
Wyoming	100	$52,490	$70,590	$85,730
Georgia	490	$39,090	$62,630	$94,330
Louisiana	Not published	$55,870	$59,990	$101,400
Illinois	180	$47,480	$54,680	$104,720

41 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

05 Probation
Probation length and what ends it
Not yet collected
09 Benefits and pension
Pension plan/tier and formula, retirement age/years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b), PSLF eligibility
Not yet collected
10 Union contracts
Bargaining unit, union, current CBA (source link, effective dates)
Not yet collected
11 Transfers and lateral entry
Lateral policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonus, inter-agency moves
Not yet collected
14 Exam practice
Named exams → OpenExamPrep practice
Not yet collected
15 Employer directory
L4 directory: every employer that hires this job, each with its own facet values
Not yet collected

At a glance

Job familyAdministration, Finance & IT

LevelState, Local

Pay structureCivil-service class series

Occupation code17-1021 Cartographers and Photogrammetrists; 15-1299 Computer Occupations, All Other

PreparationConsiderable Preparation Needed

Sources and verification

Alabama State Personnel Department — Alabama Merit Semi-Monthly Compensation Plan (effective 09/01/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Alabama state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Arizona Department of Administration, Human Resources Division — Arizona State Personnel System Job Titles with Pay Ranges and Salary Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Arizona state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management — Arkansas Executive Branch Pay Tables and Class Code List

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Arkansas state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources — Connecticut State Employee Compensation Plans and Job Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Connecticut state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation — Georgia State Salary Plans (SWD and LAW) with Job Profiles — September 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Georgia state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Idaho Division of Human Resources — Idaho State Classifications and FY 2026–2027 Salary Structures

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Idaho state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Illinois Department of Central Management Services — Illinois CMS Alphabetic Index of Position Titles (FY 2027, effective July 1, 2026, corrected edition)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Illinois state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet — Kentucky Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule (effective September 16, 2026) and Job Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Kentucky state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Louisiana Department of State Civil Service — Louisiana State Civil Service Pay Plan (Public Version) and Pay Schedules AS, MS, PS, SS, TS, WS

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Louisiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) — Maryland State Salary Plan (title order) and FY 2027 salary schedules (effective July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Maryland state government publication, DBM); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD) — Massachusetts Executive Branch Bargaining Unit Job Codes and Salary Charts

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Massachusetts government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Mississippi State Personnel Board — Mississippi Variable Compensation Plan FY 2027 and MSPB Career Catalog

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Mississippi state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Missouri Office of Administration, Division of Personnel — Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System — Pay Plan Structures and Class Occupational Details (effective July 1, 2025)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Missouri state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) — Nevada Classified Service — Class Specifications and Compensation Schedules (Pay Policy 01 EE/ER and 06), effective July 1, 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Nevada state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Jersey Civil Service Commission — New Jersey State Title List and FY2027 salary schedules by Employee Relations Group

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of New Jersey government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification — New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (New Mexico state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) — O*NET 31.0 Database

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · CC BY 4.0

This page includes information from the 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. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. GovJobsWiki has modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management — Oklahoma Pay Structures for State Employees (effective 08/30/2026) and OMES Job Catalog

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Oklahoma state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration — Pennsylvania Commonwealth Classification and Pay Plan (job classes and pay schedules)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources — South Carolina Classified Pay Structure and State Job Classifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Carolina state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes — South Dakota Class Code Master and FY27 Pay Structures

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Dakota state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Indiana State Personnel Department — State of Indiana Job Code Listing (August 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Indiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Tennessee Department of Human Resources — Tennessee DOHR Alpha Comp Plan (September 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Tennessee state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team — Texas State Classification Plan — Job Description Index and Salary Schedules A, B and C (FY 2026–27)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Texas state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Utah Department of Government Operations, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) — Utah DHRM Public Job Descriptions: job salary ranges

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Utah state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

GovJobsWiki — GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240)

GovJobsWiki editorial · not a sourced fact · GovJobsWiki editorial

Page data last changed September 30, 2026. How we verify · Report an error

GIS Analyst / Specialist

Overview

Titles employers use

Requirements

Education workers say the job requires

How to get hired

Academy and training

Promotion ladder

Pay

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021)

Computer Occupations, All Other (SOC 15-1299)

State government pay plans

Schedule

Day-to-day work

Related jobs

By state

Not yet collected