Geographic Information Systems Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Geographic Information Systems Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geographic Information Systems Specialist in the United States is $80,967 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, a Geographic Information Systems Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,292
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,856 to $88,465
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,650

Key Factors That Influence Geographic Information Systems Specialist Salaries

A Geographic Information Systems Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Geographic Information Systems Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geographic Information Systems Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $68,151
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $81,669
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $106,048
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $130,283
  • Expert (over 8 years): $151,592
Levels Salary
Informati... Level Geographic Information Systems Specialist$68,151
Geographi... Level Geographic Information Systems Specialist$81,669
Informati... Level Geographic Information Systems Specialist$106,048
Informati... Level Geographic Information Systems Specialist$130,283
Informati... Level Geographic Information Systems Specialist$151,592

Top Paying Cities for Geographic Information Systems Specialists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $102,123
  • San Francisco: $101,005
  • Oakland: $98,877

What Skills Can Increase a Geographic Information Systems Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 9.52% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • IT Support (Mentioned in 3.17% Job Postings): Assisting with managing, maintaining, and repairing business technology to ensure all IT functions work seamlessly.
  • Computer Hardware (Mentioned in 2.25% Job Postings): Maintaining, configuring, and setting up computer hardware to increase business efficiency and staff productivity.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 9.52%
IT Support 3.17%
Computer Hardware 2.25%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Geographic Information Systems Specialist's salary.

  • Emerging Technology: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Test Automation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Emerging Technology $91,492
13%
Test Automation $87,444
8%
Leadership $87,444
8%

Geographic Information Systems Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Geographic Information Systems Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 36% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 17% above the average. In contrast, Geographic Information Systems Specialist positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Geographic Information Systems Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Geographic Information Systems Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$94,731$46.017%
Biotechnology$92,302$44.014%
Energy & Utilities$89,873$43.011%
Insurance$88,254$42.09%
Aerospace & Defense$85,825$41.06%

How Education impacts a Geographic Information Systems Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geographic Information Systems Specialists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Geographic Information Systems Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $81,356 and $86,059).

Geographic Information Systems Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Geographic Information Systems Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.9%
High School 16.7%
Associates 17.7%
Bachelors 51.2%
Masters 11.0%
Doctorate 0.5%

Geographic Information Systems Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Geographic Information Systems Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$70,856
Average $80,967/year
$88,465
$5,905
Average $6,747/month
$7,372
$1,363
Average $1,557/week
$1,701
$34
Average $39/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,465 $7,372 $1,701 $43
Average $80,967 $6,747 $1,557 $39
25th Percentile $70,856 $5,905 $1,363 $34

Most common benefits for Geographic Information Systems Specialist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Geographic Information Systems Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Geographic Information Systems Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Geographic Information Systems Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Geographic Information Systems Specialist?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Geographic Information Systems Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 17% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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