Imagine standing on an open stretch of land 200 years ago, tasked with deciding where to build a town, lay a railroad, or divert a river. Your only tools? A compass, some paper maps, and your best judgment.
Today, thanks to advances in geospatial technology, those high-stakes decisions are faster and backed by precise data. Whether it’s tracking climate change, optimizing supply chains, or planning urban infrastructure, geospatial tools help us understand the world around us and build in it with incredible accuracy.
But what are some of the jobs that make this work possible? In this article, we’re exploring seven of the top careers in geospatial technology, helping you determine which one might align with your interests.
Market research analysts provide organizations with data on how their marketing efforts are performing or may perform in the future. GIS helps marketers pinpoint where potential customers are by ZIP code or a variety of criteria, enabling them to target those prospects more cost-effectively.
The BLS reports an excellent job outlook for market research analysts, with employment rates expanding by 8% through 2033, a rate that’s faster than the average growth rate for all occupations in the U.S.
Urban and regional planners are responsible for expanding and revitalizing communities by ensuring land is used properly to meet the needs of those communities. According to the BLS, these individuals use GIS software to “integrate data, such as for population density, with digital maps” as part of their professional duties.
The BLS reports that the job outlook for urban and regional planners through 2033 is healthy, with an anticipated growth rate of 4% and a median annual salary of $83,720.
Environmental scientists and specialists study how human activity affects the environment and use data to help solve problems like:
With tools like GPS, satellite imagery, and remote sensors, they can track things like where wildfires are spreading or how far an oil spill has reached. Their work helps government agencies and companies make informed decisions to protect wildlife and natural resources.
The BLS states that the median annual salary for these roles is about $80,060, with a growth rate of 7% through 2033.
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians help carry out the plans that environmental engineers design, such as restoring areas affected by floods or preparing for future natural disasters.
Some of their responsibilities might include:
Their hands-on work helps predict how a disaster might impact the environment and ensures that cleanup and prevention efforts are based on solid data.
Wondering how much you can earn in roles like these? According to the BLS, the median 2024 pay for these careers is $58,890 per year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an epidemiologist “investigates the causes of diseases, how diseases are spread, and how diseases can be prevented or controlled.” Due to the nature of their work, these public health professionals are sometimes referred to as “disease detectives.”
Their work may include the use of GIS-derived data showing where rates of a disease are highest, allowing them to focus their investigative efforts on those areas. Notably, GIS was used to monitor the spread of COVID-19.
BLS data shows the job outlook for epidemiologists to be positive, with a projected growth rate of 19% through 2033, with a median annual salary of $83,890.
Geoscientists examine the past and present structure of the earth and predict how future changes to it may impact our lives. Some specialize in tracking volcanic activity or earthquake risks, while others assess the stability of land for construction or locate natural resources like groundwater, oil, or minerals.
On average, geoscientists earn an annual salary of $99,240.
The University of Texas Permian Basin has a close relationship with the GIS and geospatial industries, having served them for more than two decades. This unique association has enabled us to keep abreast of all the latest technologies and practices in these fields.
We’ve taken that knowledge and transformed it into the curriculum for our 12-credit GIS and Geospatial Certificate. Through this online graduate certificate program, you’ll develop up-to-date, practical skills that can help you excel in a career in a diverse range of fields including:
All courses are taught by the same accomplished faculty who teach on campus at UT Permian Basin.
Not sure if we’re the right university to help you give your career a boost? Here are some reasons why UT Permian Basin could be the perfect fit for you:
Position yourself for greater career success with a 100% online GIS and Geospatial Certificate from UT Permian Basin.
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/using-geographic-information-in-marketing
https://gisgeography.com/gis-salary-expectations-gis-career/
https://www.gisjobs.com/index.php
https://www.edflo.com/blog/the-growing-field-of-geographic-information-systems
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