How to hire a gis analyst

How to hire a gis analyst, step by step

Here's a step-by-step gis analyst hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a gis analyst job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new gis analyst
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a gis analyst do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the gis analyst you need to hire. Certain gis analyst roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect gis analyst also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of gis analysts and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of GIS Analyst	Description	Hourly rate
   GIS Analyst	Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design information systems solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.	$22-40
   Gis Internship	A GIS (Geographic Information Systems) intern is responsible for assisting the data analyst team on project management operations, data processing procedures, and advocacy program planning. GIS interns shadow all the processes of the organization, performing administrative and clerical duties under the supervision of a direct manager... Show more	$19-45
   Business Analyst/Quality Analyst	A business analyst/quality analyst is responsible for evaluating business outputs and operational processes to ensure that everything adheres to the quality standards and business regulations. Business analysts/quality analysts support senior management in determining solutions to improve the company's services and provide the highest satisfaction for the customers and clients... Show more	$27-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • GPS
   • Spatial Data
   • Data Collection
   • Esri Arcgis
   • Database Design
   • CAD
   • Geospatial Data
   • Data Analysis
   • Visualization
   • Arcgis Online
   • Database Management
   • SQL Server
   • Arcgis Desktop
   • Map Production

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and collect data from NGA, NATO partners, and other organizations to support military training simulations.
   • Manage vector, raster, and cad data for cultural resources, public works, forestry and planning departments.
   • Manage the creation and development of a GIS mapping system for a local waste management company using ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online.
   • Construct, implement and manage state-wide seismic hazard and infrastructure mapping projects.
   • Manage client data and perform database extraction regularly to make timely data updates.
   • Design and test web application using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

   More gis analyst duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your gis analyst job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A gis analyst salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, gis analysts' average salary in south carolina is 28% less than in delaware.
   • Seniority. Entry-level gis analysts earn 45% less than senior-level gis analysts.
   • Certifications. A gis analyst with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a gis analyst's salary.

   Average gis analyst salary

   $63,718yearly

   $30.63 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level gis analyst salary

   $47,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average gis analyst salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Michigan	$72,701	$35
   2	Massachusetts	$70,685	$34
   3	New York	$69,771	$34
   4	Illinois	$69,701	$34
   5	California	$68,316	$33
   6	Pennsylvania	$67,961	$33
   7	District of Columbia	$66,945	$32
   8	Connecticut	$66,829	$32
   9	Virginia	$65,081	$31
   10	North Carolina	$64,814	$31
   11	Louisiana	$62,654	$30
   12	Florida	$61,809	$30
   13	Texas	$60,238	$29
   14	Alabama	$59,112	$28
   15	Colorado	$58,637	$28
   16	Missouri	$57,671	$28
   17	Georgia	$57,601	$28
   18	Utah	$57,071	$27
   19	Arizona	$56,296	$27
   20	Oklahoma	$55,809	$27

   Average gis analyst salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Colliers International	$96,841	$46.56	3
   2	Salt River Project	$96,176	$46.24
   3	Southern	$96,114	$46.21	8
   4	Petco Holdings, Inc.	$92,062	$44.26
   5	Whirlpool	$90,622	$43.57	6
   6	Richmond International Airport	$87,444	$42.04
   7	Parsons	$83,430	$40.11	12
   8	Pacific Gas and Electric	$83,131	$39.97
   9	Cambridge Systematics	$82,367	$39.60
   10	National Grid plc	$79,224	$38.09	1
   11	Dollar Tree	$78,873	$37.92
   12	Sanborn	$75,134	$36.12	2
   13	Aguirre Roden	$74,402	$35.77
   14	Vertex	$73,304	$35.24	3
   15	Tata Group	$72,952	$35.07	28
   16	Zillow Group	$70,997	$34.13
   17	MAPC	$70,220	$33.76
   18	CBRE Group	$69,616	$33.47	74
   19	Randstad North America, Inc.	$69,379	$33.36	8
   20	UNS Energy	$69,160	$33.25

4. Writing a gis analyst job description

   A good gis analyst job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a gis analyst job description:

   Gis analyst job description example

   The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst is responsible for providing geospatial analysis and products to multiple business units supporting the client's global operations, services, sales, and duty of care/life safety programs. The Analyst will help solve problems and enable data-based business decisions, working within an enterprise GIS environment, and assisting in supporting the functionality and effectiveness of the organization. This position will have a hybrid work schedule (in office/remote).
   Essential Functions:
   
   Represent Pinkerton's core values of integrity, vigilance, and excellence. Continuously monitor worldwide events in real-time through internal and external tools and platforms to identify developing real or potential safety and security incidents. Serve as the department resource for all GIS/mapping requests, analysis, training, troubleshooting, and documentation. Identify requirements and implement advanced analytical techniques necessary to solve GIS issues. Analyze daily developments to identify trends and patterns, forecast future behavior, and make recommendations; Produce executive level infographics, imagery maps/ products, terrain analysis, and data visualizations using multiple data sources. Evaluate and assess identified incidents for real or potential impact to company personnel and assets. Synthesize data and compose accurate and timely communications, according to established procedures and templates, to notify relevant stakeholders; Compile regular bulletins. Contribute to tactical and/or strategic threat assessments for locations or events. Support the Regional Security Directors as instructed, including in crisis situations. Assist company personnel in identifying and meeting requirements, and obtaining proper permissions, for proposed travel to high-risk locations. Establish and maintain effective relationships with customers and stakeholders as well as help create a positive environment of trust and inclusiveness. Serve as the main point of contact for the intake and escalation of safety and security incidents as reported by company personnel and assets. All other duties, as assigned. Education, Experience, and Certifications:
   
   Bachelor's degree preferably in international affairs or political science. In lieu of degree, three or more years of military intelligence experience or one to two years of security operations center experience in an intelligence-related capacity. Pinkerton is an inclusive employer who seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
   
   Competencies:
   
   Familiar with social media and media monitoring tools. Proficient in using ESRI suite of GIS tools and/or ArcGIS platforms. Expert knowledge of coordinate systems, map projections, data resolution, data types, and geospatial best practices. Able to interact effectively at all levels and across diverse cultures. Able to effectively comprehend large amounts of emerging and evolving data. Strong attention to detail. Critical thinking skills. Able to make informed and sound decisions. Serve as a positive and effective team member. Able to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously in a demanding and fast paced environment with varying deadlines and time constraints. Effective verbal and written skills for a global audience. Computer knowledge; Microsoft Office, traveler tracking software. Working Conditions:
   
   With or without reasonable accommodation, requires the physical and mental capacity to effectively perform all essential functions; Exposure to sensitive and confidential information. Regular computer usage. Maintain composure in dealing with authorities, executives, clients, staff, and the public occasionally under conditions of urgency and in pressure situations. Occasional reaching and lifting of small objects and operating office equipment. Ability to adjust focus between close and distance vision. On-call and extended work hours, as needed. Travel, as required. Pinkerton is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race/ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital/prenatal status, pregnancy/childbirth or related conditions, religion, creed, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any protected status by local, state, federal or country-specific law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right gis analyst for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your gis analyst job on Zippia to find and attract quality gis analyst candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit gis analysts, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a gis analyst applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new gis analyst

   Once you've decided on a perfect gis analyst candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new gis analyst first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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