How To Become A Geographic Information Systems Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a geographic information systems manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Ronald Dorn

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a geographic information systems manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $31.63 an hour? That's $65,792 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 16% and produce 82,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a geographic information systems manager?

Ronald Dorn

Associate Director, Arizona State University

You have a way of looking at the world that others only slightly understand. In other words, you think spatially-geographically. You think about cultural geography as more than just other people, but how people fit with their spaces. You think about how the physical geography processes interact with people in ways that others do not. So my general advice is to think broadly about what you are doing for the organization and how your unique perspective can benefit the people who you are working for and with. This means you will have to try to think like they do to explain how your views can benefit the overall mission of the organization.

ScoreGeographic Information Systems ManagerUS Average

Salary

5.1

Avg. Salary $65,792

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

1.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%

Asian 12.60%

Black or African American 6.78%

Hispanic or Latino 10.18%

Unknown 5.21%

White 65.02%

Gender

female 20.31%

male 79.69%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a geographic information systems manager

Explore geographic information systems manager education requirements

Most common geographic information systems manager degrees

Bachelor's

66.7 %

Master's

20.0 %

Associate

8.3 %

Start to develop specific geographic information systems manager skills

Skills	Percentages
GIS	50.70%
GPS	8.16%
SQL Server	7.74%
Esri	6.68%
Autocad	5.18%

Complete relevant geographic information systems manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New geographic information systems managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a geographic information systems manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real geographic information systems manager resumes.

Research geographic information systems manager duties and responsibilities

Manage and maintain mapping server and software including QGIS, ESRI, and SiteIntel software.
Manage all aspects of information technology including database management, network information services, troubleshoot system applications, etc.
Train field personnel on the data collection methods using GPS.
Survey the infrastructure using a GPS Trimble backpack unit.

Apply for geographic information systems manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a geographic information systems manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams