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The differences between gis analysts and geospatial analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a gis analyst, becoming a geospatial analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a gis analyst has an average salary of $63,718, which is higher than the $62,823 average annual salary of a geospatial analyst.
The top three skills for a gis analyst include GPS, spatial data and data collection. The most important skills for a geospatial analyst are geospatial data, geospatial analysis, and remote sensing.
| GIS Analyst | Geospatial Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $63,718 | $62,823 |
| Hourly rate | $30.63 | $30.20 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 49,491 | 1,496 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A GIS Analyst is responsible for the development and implementation of geographic information systems. They provide expertise, support, assistance, and guidance to various geographic variables in a specific area.
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.
Gis analysts and geospatial analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| GIS Analyst | Geospatial Analyst | |
| Average salary | $63,718 | $62,823 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $85,000 | Between $48,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Detroit, MI | Annapolis, MD |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Colliers International | Gap Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Professional |
There are a few differences between a gis analyst and a geospatial analyst in terms of educational background:
| GIS Analyst | Geospatial Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Geography | Geography |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between gis analysts' and geospatial analysts' demographics:
| GIS Analyst | Geospatial Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.7% Female, 27.3% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |