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The differences between gis consultants and gis developers 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 consultant, becoming a gis developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a gis developer has an average salary of $100,464, which is higher than the $94,013 average annual salary of a gis consultant.
The top three skills for a gis consultant include data analysis, desktop and esri arcgis. The most important skills for a gis developer are esri, C++, and arcgis server.
| GIS Consultant | GIS Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,013 | $100,464 |
| Hourly rate | $45.20 | $48.30 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 16,722 | 82,279 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Consultant manages digital mapping data and performs analyses to answer geographical questions. They work for a wide range of industries, including technology, law enforcement, transportation, and construction.
A GIS developer, also known as a geographic information system developer, specializes in designing and creating applications and software that gathers and features geographic data from different locations. In some industries, a GIS developer may also have the task of analyzing aerial imagery, developing databases and maps, and creating tools to facilitate various programs and projects. Additionally, a GIS developer usually works as a member of a software development team, which requires an open communication line for an efficient workflow.
Gis consultants and gis developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| GIS Consultant | GIS Developer | |
| Average salary | $94,013 | $100,464 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $133,000 | Between $71,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | Vermont |
| Best paying company | - | Pacific Gas and Electric |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a gis consultant and a gis developer in terms of educational background:
| GIS Consultant | GIS Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Geography | Geography |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between gis consultants' and gis developers' demographics:
| GIS Consultant | GIS Developer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.1% Female, 22.9% | Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |