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Geospatial technician vs geographic information scientist

The differences between geospatial technicians and geographic information scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a geospatial technician and a geographic information scientist. Additionally, a geographic information scientist has an average salary of $74,061, which is higher than the $42,643 average annual salary of a geospatial technician.

Geospatial technician vs geographic information scientist overview

Geospatial TechnicianGeographic Information Scientist
Yearly salary$42,643$74,061
Hourly rate$20.50$35.61
Growth rate21%16%
Number of jobs7,84599,784
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Geospatial technician vs geographic information scientist salary

Geospatial technicians and geographic information scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Geospatial TechnicianGeographic Information Scientist
Average salary$42,643$74,061
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $59,000Between $40,000 And $134,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between geospatial technician and geographic information scientist education

There are a few differences between a geospatial technician and a geographic information scientist in terms of educational background:

Geospatial TechnicianGeographic Information Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorGeographyEnvironmental Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of California, Berkeley

Geospatial technician vs geographic information scientist demographics

Here are the differences between geospatial technicians' and geographic information scientists' demographics:

Geospatial TechnicianGeographic Information Scientist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 74.6% Female, 25.4%Male, 63.6% Female, 36.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between geospatial technician and geographic information scientist duties and responsibilities

Geospatial technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage mapping-grade GPS operations for field crews and map all data.
  • Lead projects and report to management the status of co-workers feature extraction.
  • Generate GIS database updates manually and manage automated unix-base system to apply records to client database.
  • Perform imagery 3D analysis and extraction from satellite imagery using BAE SocetSet version 5.6.0 and ESRI ArcMap 10.1.
  • Perform data collection from LiDAR and manipulate GIS files for a wide variety of clients
  • Used ESRI ArcGIS software to create and maintain data, and produce custom maps in an efficient manner.
  • Show more

Geographic information scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain mapping server and software including QGIS, ESRI, and SiteIntel software.
  • Perform daily administration of the system, including prioritizing/opening/closing/deleting tickets, creating useful SQL reports of the information, etc.
  • Develop written documentation and PowerPoint presentations to facilitate offshore user training on computer equipment and software.

Geospatial technician vs geographic information scientist skills

Common geospatial technician skills
  • Python, 17%
  • Visualization, 10%
  • Production Tasks, 8%
  • Remote Sensing, 8%
  • Esri, 7%
  • Extraction, 7%
Common geographic information scientist skills

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