As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a GIS Specialist in the United States is $79,947 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a GIS Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A GIS 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a GIS 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| GIS Analy... Level GIS Specialist | $69,147 |
| GIS Speci... Level GIS Specialist | $79,203 |
| GIS Analy... Level GIS Specialist | $93,129 |
| GIS Analy... Level GIS Specialist | $119,681 |
| GIS Analy... Level GIS Specialist | $136,546 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract GIS Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 16.1% |
| CAD | 2.41% |
| Programming | 1.85% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Strategic Planning
|
$119,120 |
49%
|
|
Market Intelligence
|
$90,340 |
13%
|
|
Team Development
|
$87,142 |
9%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$84,743 |
6%
|
|
Innovation
|
$83,944 |
5%
|
|
Insight
|
$83,944 |
5%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many GIS 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 GIS Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $70,233 and $74,593).
GIS Specialist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 3.0% |
| Associates | 4.3% |
| Bachelors | 54.9% |
| Masters | 36.0% |
| Doctorate | 1.2% |
Understanding how a GIS 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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a GIS Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $83,550 in 2023 to around $82,812 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of GIS Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $83,550 |
| 2024 | $83,385 |
| 2025 | $82,812 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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