How To Become A Geospatial Intelligence Analyst: What It Is and Career Path

What is a geospatial intelligence analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

B.L. Turner

Geospatial intelligence analysts work for the military. They analyze aerial and satellite images and create detailed maps based on the information they find. Whether the images are fixed or moving, the responsibility of professionals working in this position is to determine what is to be found on the ground on location in a possible detailed manner.

Working for the military might entail that you are positioned to work on the battled field or in command center outposts in potentially dangerous situations. It will be your job to assess the dimensions of structures in the area you are examining and design maps based on the information you find. Presenting your work in reports will also be a part of your duties.

Professionals filing this role typically hold a master's degree in geography, geographic information systems, or a related subject. Experience in cartography or map drafting is also relevant and may weigh in when expected levels of formal education are not met. As military personnel, you will also receive combat training before starting to work on assignments -- Salaries for this position average around $28.03 an hour, adding up to $58,297 a year.

What general advice would you give to a geospatial intelligence analyst?

B.L. Turner

Arizona State University

Focus on one of the STEM parts of geographical sciences-remote sensing, GIS, and integrated human-envirnmental science plus modeling that has both academic/research and application applicability.

ScoreGeospatial Intelligence AnalystUS Average

Salary

4.8

Avg. Salary $61,131

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.1

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.67%

Asian 2.86%

Black or African American 12.88%

Hispanic or Latino 15.78%

Unknown 5.03%

White 62.78%

Gender

female 22.86%

male 77.14%

Age - 44

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 - 44

Stress level

6.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a geospatial intelligence analyst

Explore geospatial intelligence analyst education requirements

Most common geospatial intelligence analyst degrees

Bachelor's

54.5 %

Associate

30.5 %

Master's

7.4 %

Start to develop specific geospatial intelligence analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Geospatial Data	11.24%
GIS	6.97%
ArcGIS	5.90%
GEOINT	4.75%
Imagery Products	4.55%

Complete relevant geospatial intelligence analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New geospatial intelligence analysts 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 geospatial intelligence analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real geospatial intelligence analyst resumes.

Research geospatial intelligence analyst duties and responsibilities

Lead efforts to apply data management and GEOINT fusion techniques to data gather in and for use by the private sector.
Implement and run python scripts and SQL queries to automate complex GIS processes and to extract specific information from data sets.
Ensure products fulfill DA, DOD, and national-level intelligence requirements.
Advise program administrators on the best tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) for ISR collections analysis.

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