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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

Part of Information Technology, in the Information Support and Services pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 15-1299.02

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • 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.

What it pays

$110,440
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $58,410
Experienced workers reach $157,980
  1. $58k10th
  2. $82k25th
  3. $110kMedian
  4. $135k75th
  5. $158k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $58,410, 25th $81,870, Median $110,440, 75th $134,780, 90th $157,980

About 5,100 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+27.4%

employment change in the Alamo region, 5,961 to 7,596 jobs · U.S. +8%

542

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 31,300

5,961

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 472,000

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Reading Comprehension4.0
  2. Critical Thinking3.8
  3. Active Listening3.4
  4. Speaking3.4
  5. Complex Problem Solving3.3
  6. Judgment and Decision Making3.1
  7. Writing3.3
  8. Mathematics3.3

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Computer Science

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  2. Cyber Investigator; Level I Certificate

    Certificate · Science & Technology

  3. Computer Science

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  4. Health Information Technology

    Degree · Online option · Health & Biosciences

  5. Computer Information Systems

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  6. Computer Science

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

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