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Geospatial analyst vs intelligence analyst

The differences between geospatial analysts and intelligence analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a geospatial analyst and an intelligence analyst. Additionally, an intelligence analyst has an average salary of $77,752, which is higher than the $62,823 average annual salary of a geospatial analyst.

The top three skills for a geospatial analyst include geospatial data, geospatial analysis and remote sensing. The most important skills for an intelligence analyst are government agencies, national security, and ISR.

Geospatial analyst vs intelligence analyst overview

Geospatial AnalystIntelligence Analyst
Yearly salary$62,823$77,752
Hourly rate$30.20$37.38
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs1,49621,390
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a geospatial analyst do?

A geospatial analyst specializes in analyzing aerial imagery to develop geographic data that provides essential information about a ground or land's condition. They can find employment in different fields and industries such as agriculture, urban planning, mining, and even military intelligence. Although the extent of their duties varies upon their organization of employment, they typically involve creating maps and reports that highlight essential information, identifying geographical elements and structures, and providing recommendations to solve different issues and concerns.

What does an intelligence analyst do?

An intelligence analyst is responsible for collecting information from various sources, including security databases, law surveillance networks, past intelligence reports, geographic and mapping tools, and communication records to locate threats and prevent crime and terrorist activities. Intelligence analysts work with different national organizations to gather information on related criminal activities and determine patterns and support investigations. An intelligence analyst must be highly critical and analytical to connect data and capture enemies to ensure the public's safety and security.

Geospatial analyst vs intelligence analyst salary

Geospatial analysts and intelligence analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Geospatial AnalystIntelligence Analyst
Average salary$62,823$77,752
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $81,000Between $57,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CityAnnapolis, MDSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMarylandWashington
Best paying companyGap Inc.Meta
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between geospatial analyst and intelligence analyst education

There are a few differences between a geospatial analyst and an intelligence analyst in terms of educational background:

Geospatial AnalystIntelligence Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorGeographyCriminal Justice
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaYork College of Pennsylvania

Geospatial analyst vs intelligence analyst demographics

Here are the differences between geospatial analysts' and intelligence analysts' demographics:

Geospatial AnalystIntelligence Analyst
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 73.0% Female, 27.0%Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 2.9% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between geospatial analyst and intelligence analyst duties and responsibilities

Geospatial analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage and analyze large amounts of LiDAR data for design and construction of transmission lines and substations.
  • Implement and run python scripts and SQL queries to automate complex GIS processes and to extract specific information from data sets.
  • Consider expert level user in ESRI ArcGIS 9.3 and 10.0 and all ESRI desktop extensions.
  • Provide on-going reach back capability to NGA headquarters and the intelligence community (IC) at large.
  • Develop, manipulate, and maintain NGA digital databases over regional areas of interest using ArcGIS and ArcSDE.
  • Maintain data standards to support IC, IA, and SOF.
  • Show more

Intelligence analyst example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with the ITC and J2 to offer new ideas to accomplish overall mission successes.
  • Lead development team integrating this pivotal crew position into the AF DCGS weapon system construct.
  • Recruit best-in-class suppliers, utilizing the RFP process and negotiate contracts to achieve cost improvements while meeting stake-holder needs.
  • Develop, coordinate, and manage OSINT products by using a team of local-national subject matter experts throughout the AO.
  • Lead RFx process gathering functional requirements, identifying potential suppliers, and executing bidding, evaluation, and supplier selection.
  • Communicate with higher level echelons to distribute and manage non-organic ISR assets.
  • Show more

Geospatial analyst vs intelligence analyst skills

Common geospatial analyst skills
  • Geospatial Data, 9%
  • Geospatial Analysis, 9%
  • Remote Sensing, 6%
  • Visualization, 5%
  • Python, 5%
  • Extraction, 5%
Common intelligence analyst skills
  • Government Agencies, 8%
  • National Security, 8%
  • ISR, 6%
  • Combat, 6%
  • Intelligence Analysis, 5%
  • Intelligence Community, 5%

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