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Gis project manager vs gis specialist

The differences between gis project managers and gis specialists 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 project manager, becoming a gis specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a gis project manager has an average salary of $85,724, which is higher than the $65,463 average annual salary of a gis specialist.

The top three skills for a gis project manager include project management, arcgis and architecture. The most important skills for a gis specialist are GPS, python, and data collection.

Gis project manager vs gis specialist overview

GIS Project ManagerGIS Specialist
Yearly salary$85,724$65,463
Hourly rate$41.21$31.47
Growth rate8%9%
Number of jobs110,8272,029
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4644
Years of experience86

Gis project manager vs gis specialist salary

Gis project managers and gis specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

GIS Project ManagerGIS Specialist
Average salary$85,724$65,463
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $116,000Between $43,000 And $98,000
Highest paying CityBellevue, WAEdison, NJ
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew Jersey
Best paying companyAdroIT Software & ConsultingThe Wonderful Company
Best paying industryProfessionalEnergy

Differences between gis project manager and gis specialist education

There are a few differences between a gis project manager and a gis specialist in terms of educational background:

GIS Project ManagerGIS Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorGeographyGeography
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California, Berkeley

Gis project manager vs gis specialist demographics

Here are the differences between gis project managers' and gis specialists' demographics:

GIS Project ManagerGIS Specialist
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 81.0% Female, 19.0%Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage4%11%

Differences between gis project manager and gis specialist duties and responsibilities

Gis project manager example responsibilities.

  • Perform problem resolution, cost recovery, manage inventory of network components, direct RFP process for procurement of telecommunications services.
  • Develop, organize and execute SDLC projects to improve safety, quality and/or productivity throughout several processes in a warehouse environment.
  • Automate GIS/Geoscience workflows for data manipulation activities and cartographic deliverables using ModelBuilder.

Gis specialist example responsibilities.

  • Implement and manage ESRI ArcSDE, ArcIMS servers and web services in the GIS development lab.
  • Work extensively with SQL to achieve tight integration with the associated maps which include building tables, maintenance and accuracy checks.
  • Manage client data and perform database extraction regularly to make timely data updates.
  • Create python scripts, models and script tools for automation of spatial analysis and data management tasks.
  • Develop and implement the conversion of project data to ArcSDE.
  • Utilize Dojo to create and style interactive buttons within GIS application.
  • Show more

Gis project manager vs gis specialist skills

Common gis project manager skills
  • Project Management, 17%
  • ArcGIS, 9%
  • Architecture, 8%
  • Infrastructure, 7%
  • GIS Project, 6%
  • CAD, 6%
Common gis specialist skills
  • GPS, 10%
  • Python, 8%
  • Data Collection, 8%
  • Database Management, 6%
  • Geospatial Data, 4%
  • CAD, 4%

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