Technology
How to become a GIS Technician
From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.
- Time to get there
- 6–18 months
- Typical pay
- $48k–$68k
- Starting from
- No experience
Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.
See GIS technician jobs open nowThe route
Learn ArcGIS or QGIS
Digitising, georeferencing and map production. QGIS is free to learn on.
Learn the data side
Coordinate systems, projections and spatial SQL. Getting projections wrong ruins everything downstream.
Course that covers thisMaster SQL - Core Database Skills Practice ExamUdemy · around $19.99Build a portfolio of maps
Real datasets, real questions answered. Public open data is plentiful.
Start with a utility, city or survey firm
Utilities are the largest employer of GIS technicians and hire steadily.
Course that covers this380+ Exercises - Python Programming Mega Pack - Built-inUdemy · around $19.99- Browse jobs now
Destination
GIS Technician
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