TL;DR – GIS Analysts collect geospatial data, present findings to make informed decisions, and work collaboratively in teams to excel in big projects. With an annual growth rate of 19%, the GIS (Geographic Information System) industry continues to urge employers to search for professionals with the adequate skills in geographic knowledge. Earning a GIS certificate online like Bootcamp GIS can strengthen your career portfolio to easily get hired within the GIS industry.

What is a GIS? 

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a set of mapping software tools and workflows that helps people make visual decisions.  The GIS industry has continued to grow with an annual growth rate of 19%, according to the Department of Labor.  As GIS becomes increasingly crucial for everyday life to people all around the globe, GIS analysts are tasked with rearranging increasing amounts of data and presenting it to all types of industries. GIS analyst salaries are on the rise as well, since their roles in data analytics and web serving are pivotal to their employers.

A day in the life of a GIS analyst   

GIS analysts have a variety of tasks each day. Going out into the field and collecting descriptive attributes for different locations is often the first step in a GIS workflow. As analysts collect large amounts of GIS data, they also store and maintain the information in geographic databases.  After collecting the relevant data, analysis begins. GIS analysts edit data, create spatial models, and produce map layouts. There is a technical workflow that they follow to eventually generate the maps seen on websites like Zillow, FireAid, and your City’s Zoning maps. In addition to maps, final products can be tables, stats, and reports that their stakeholders rely on to make decisions. 

People skills are also crucial to success. As analysts present findings and interact with end users, they may also have to take map requests and further educate them about GIS. Collaborating within teams and sharing important information is often a common occurrence when dealing with big projects. Analysts also travel to GIS conferences to network and present their projects. The largest GIS conference, the Esri User Conference, is located in San Diego every year and continues to evolve as GIS technology grows. They hosted over 21 thousand attendees in 2024, and only look to go bigger in 2025.

If you’re eager to dive deeper into the world of GIS and hear firsthand from professionals in the field, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find three insightful interviews with GIS experts who share their experiences, challenges, and advice for aspiring professionals. These conversations offer a unique glimpse into the day-to-day realities of working with GIS, as well as valuable tips for those looking to build a career in this dynamic and ever-evolving industry.

GIS analyst average salary  

As one of the quickest growing tech sectors, companies have been finding a shortfall in talent.  The average GIS analyst salary is $75,010 as of 2025.  But if you are able to focus on the higher level roles that work on application development or cloud architecture, you could be in the top 2% of workers, earning in the range of $116,000 – $124,500.  GIS analysts are needed in every city, state, and federal agency.  The top cities that pay the highest for GIS professionals are Nome, AK and Cupertino, CA. Here is the general spread for GIS analyst salaries:

Earn a GIS Certificate

GIS analysts that come from geography degree programs will be equipped with geographic knowledge. But the GIS job market is open to students of all different disciplines that want to use GIS tools with their data. Learning ArcGIS is an important first step in launching yourself into the market. ArcGIS software is made by Esri and is essential for GIS novices, since it is used by the majority of organizations around the world. Enrolling in a university’s geography program is the common path to learning the GIS discipline.  But if you want to learn faster and more efficiently, you might want to learn applied GIS courses through an online GIS Certificate instead!  Certificates allow you to learn ArcGIS via shorter, specified courses in areas like: 

See a learning timeline to earn your GIS Certificate within 6 months.  Look for applied courses and internships to give you hands-on experience that replicate real examples of GIS from industry experts. Be sure to look for a GIS Certificate program that offers career services, which will ensure that you get the most out of the new skills that you learn. Every course that you purchase on BootcampGIS comes with 2 advisory sessions + a career services dashboard made to strengthen your professional profile. The tech industry is a skills based industry, so if you can show what you know, you’ll have an even better chance at getting hired. If you’re wondering if the GIS industry is right for you, book a free consultation call with us today!

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