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The differences between gis managers and gis technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a gis manager, becoming a gis technician takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a gis manager has an average salary of $75,857, which is higher than the $58,307 average annual salary of a gis technician.
The top three skills for a gis manager include python, autocad and project management. The most important skills for a gis technician are patients, patient care, and GPS.
| GIS Manager | GIS Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $75,857 | $58,307 |
| Hourly rate | $36.47 | $28.03 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 20,605 | 8,922 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 6 |
A GIS Manager is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of teams of IT experts that produce geographical data. They research, evaluate, and procure new GIS equipment to increase project efficiency.
A GIS Technician is responsible for making maps and customizing geographic information systems applications. They also provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of geographic information systems databases.
Gis managers and gis technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| GIS Manager | GIS Technician | |
| Average salary | $75,857 | $58,307 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $119,000 | Between $39,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | American Water | American Water |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a gis manager and a gis technician in terms of educational background:
| GIS Manager | GIS Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Geography | Geography |
| Most common college | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between gis managers' and gis technicians' demographics:
| GIS Manager | GIS Technician | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.5% Female, 22.5% | Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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 Percentage | 4% | 11% |