The closest federal match, cartographers and photogrammetrists, had a May 2024 median of $78,380. GIS work also appears under geographers at $97,200 and surveyors at $72,740. There is no single authoritative GIS salary figure, and anyone presenting one is guessing.
Every GIS salary article you have read has a methodology problem it did not disclose: there is no BLS occupation called GIS analyst. We are telling you that up front, then showing you the real reference points.
The measurement problem
Geospatial work is distributed across several federal occupational codes depending on what the employer calls the role. A GIS analyst at a utility, a mapping specialist at a county, and a spatial data scientist at a technology company may be counted under three different occupations, or under a generic analyst code that captures none of the geospatial content.
This is why salary figures for GIS vary so widely between sources. We are showing the federal reference points that exist and labeling what each one covers, rather than manufacturing a single number.
| Federal occupation | May 2024 median wage |
|---|---|
| Geographers | $97,200 |
| Cartographers and photogrammetrists | $78,380 |
| Surveyors | $72,740 |
| Environmental scientists and specialists | $80,060 |
| Geoscientists | $99,240 |
| All occupations | $49,500 |
What moves geospatial pay
Sector is the largest factor. Federal government pays cartographers and photogrammetrists a median of $106,950 against $79,690 in local government, a gap of over $27,000 within one occupation. Federal work also tends to carry stronger benefits and stability.
Programming ability is the second factor and the one most within your control. The gap between an analyst who executes a workflow manually and one who automates it is large at entry and compounds across a career, because the second person scales and the first does not.
- Sector: federal, then utilities and consulting, then local government and nonprofit
- Programming: Python and SQL move you into a different pay band
- Specialization: remote sensing, spatial data science, and geospatial development pay above generalist GIS
- Domain knowledge: utilities, hydrology, and defense pay for context, not just tooling
- Location: metropolitan cost of living, and proximity to federal facilities
The growth signal
Cartographers and photogrammetrists show 6 percent projected growth from 2024 to 2034, the fastest among the occupations we track and double the 3 percent all-occupation rate, with about 1,000 annual openings.
Geographers, by contrast, are projected to decline 3 percent with about 100 annual openings on a base of 1,500 jobs. The high median wage there reflects a small, senior population, not an accessible market. Do not read $97,200 as an entry-level target.
What this means for you
Learn Python early. It is the clearest single lever on geospatial earnings and it is available to you regardless of which program you attend.
Consider federal and utility employers seriously, since both pay above the occupational median and are frequently overlooked by graduates focused on consulting.
Treat every salary figure, including ours, as a reference point rather than a forecast. Your offer will be set by employer, sector, and location.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average GIS analyst salary?
There is no federal occupation with that title. The closest match, cartographers and photogrammetrists, had a May 2024 median of $78,380. Treat any single quoted GIS salary with appropriate skepticism.
Does a GISP increase salary?
It can matter in government and consulting where it appears in requirements. It is not an automatic increase and it will not substitute for demonstrable technical capability.
Which pays more, GIS or geology?
Geoscientists have a higher median at $99,240 against $78,380 for cartographers and photogrammetrists, but geospatial roles have more openings and broader employer demand. Pay is not the only variable worth comparing.
Related reading
Is a Geology Degree Worth It in 2026?
A cost and outcome analysis of the geology degree, using federal wage and employment data rather than institutional marketing.
ComparisonGeology vs Geophysics: Which Path Is Right for You?
How the two disciplines differ in coursework, daily work, employability, and mathematical demand.
Practical guideField Camp Guide: What to Expect and Why It Matters
What geology field camp involves, how to prepare, what it costs, and why employers ask about it before they ask about your GPA.