Occupations · Computer and Mathematical

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 15-1299.02

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications.
Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
Provide technical expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to clients or users.
Perform computer programming, data analysis, or software development for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications, including the maintenance of existing systems or research and development for future enhancements.
Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps, scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital data.
Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software.
Design or coordinate the development of integrated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial or non-spatial databases.
Perform integrated or computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses to address scientific problems.
Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
Provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, equipment, or applications.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension3.9

Critical Thinking3.6

Active Listening3.5

Speaking3.5

Writing3.1

Mathematics3.0

Active Learning3.0

Monitoring3.0

Learning Strategies2.6

Science2.1

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Adobe Acrobat●Adobe After Effects●Adobe Creative Cloud software●Adobe Illustrator●Adobe Photoshop●Amazon Web Services AWS software●Apple iOS●Atlassian JIRA●Autodesk AutoCAD●Bentley MicroStation●Bootstrap●C●C#●C++●Cascading style sheets CSS●Docker●ESRI ArcGIS software●Extensible markup language XML●Git●GitHub●Go●Google Angular●Google Workspace software●Hypertext markup language HTML●JavaScript●JavaScript Object Notation JSON●Jenkins CI●Kubernetes●

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Spend Time Sitting+1.6 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−1.5 below average

Health and Safety of Other Workers−1.4 below average

Spend Time Standing−1.4 below average

Exposed to Contaminants−1.2 below average

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body−1.1 below average

Spend Time Walking or Running−1.1 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2020-11

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Conventional5.9

Investigative5.2

Realistic4.3

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Complex Problem Solving3.2

Judgment and Decision Making3.2

Coordination3.0

Social Perceptiveness3.0

Time Management2.9

Programming2.9

Service Orientation2.8

Systems Analysis2.8

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

GeographyComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageMathematicsDesignCustomer and Personal Service

Abilities it leans on

Written ComprehensionOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningNear VisionInformation Ordering

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Imagery AnalystResource AnalystGeospatial AnalystGeospatial EngineerConversion SpecialistGeospatial TechnicianGeospatial SpecialistCartographic TechnicianGeospatial TechnologistGeospatial Information TechnologistGlobal Position System Technician (GPS Technician)Geographic Information System Analyst (GIS Analyst)Geographic Information Systems Analyst (GIS Analyst)Geographic Information Systems Developer (GIS Developer)

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2020

Comparing O*NET release 25.1 (2020-11-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 2 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 53

+Node.js+GitHub+Relational database management software+Adobe ActionScript+Amazon Web Services AWS software+Go+Microsoft Outlook+Web application software+ESRI ArcGIS ArcPy+C#+Git+Software libraries+jQuery+Software development tools

No longer listed 14

−Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS−Microsoft Visual C#−Practical extraction and reporting language Perl−Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop−Data entry software−Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat−PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor−Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript−Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks−Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator−Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects−Landmark GeoGraphix−Microsoft Visual C++−Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

Imagery AnalystResource AnalystGeospatial AnalystGeospatial EngineerGeospatial TechnicianConversion SpecialistGeospatial SpecialistGeospatial TechnologistCartographic TechnicianGeospatial Information TechnologistGlobal Position System Technician (GPS Technician)Geographic Information System Analyst (GIS Analyst)

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
geographic information systems specialist	2165.3	exact
cartographer	2165.2	close

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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