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The differences between gis specialists and 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 specialist, becoming an analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an analyst has an average salary of $73,007, which is higher than the $65,463 average annual salary of a gis specialist.
The top three skills for a gis specialist include GPS, python and data collection. The most important skills for an analyst are customer service, troubleshoot, and data analysis.
| GIS Specialist | Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $65,463 | $73,007 |
| Hourly rate | $31.47 | $35.10 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 2,029 | 253,138 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A GIS Specialist plans, develops, and implements systems and databases for storing and accessing geospatial data. They create maps and graphs using GIS software and related equipment.
Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.
Gis specialists and analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| GIS Specialist | Analyst | |
| Average salary | $65,463 | $73,007 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $98,000 | Between $53,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Edison, NJ | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | The Wonderful Company | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a gis specialist and an analyst in terms of educational background:
| GIS Specialist | Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Geography | Business |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between gis specialists' and analysts' demographics:
| GIS Specialist | Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 52.4% Female, 47.6% |
| 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, 7.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |