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Geographic information systems specialist

Also called GIS analyst, GIS specialist, GIS technician

Geographic information systems specialists use specialised computer systems, engineering measures, and geological concepts to process land, geographic, and geospatial information into visually detailed digital maps and geomodels of a reservoir. They convert technical information like soil density and properties into digital representations to be used by engineers, governments and interested stakeholders.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects40 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering professionalsWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Cartographers and surveyors · ILO

What you'd do

Cartographers and surveyors · ILO
  • Surveying, measuring and describing land surfaces, mines, underground surfaces, sea, river and lake beds
  • Noting exact position of various features and recording survey data in digital form
  • Making charts and maps to be used in determining navigable waters and channels and in planning construction of marine structures
  • Planning and conducting aerial photographic surveys
  • Designing, compiling and revising maps and charts using aerial and other photographs, satellite imagery, survey documents and data, existing maps and records, reports and statistics
  • Undertaking research and development of surveying and photogrammetric measurement systems, cadastral systems and land information systems
  • Studying and advising on technical, aesthetic and economic aspects of map production
  • Maintaining technical liaison and consultancy with other relevant specialists
Perform surveying calculationsProcess collected survey dataCreate GIS reportsCompile GIS-dataCreate thematic maps+ 6 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Some contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering professionals in the EU
5.82m7.82m9.03m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
948,000 new jobs 2,300,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering professionals40
All jobs29
Right now
8 of 27 countries report a shortage of cartographers and surveyors, 3 a surplus.
Cartographers and surveyors · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in earth sciences is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 90%Vocational 6%General secondary 3%Basic schooling 1%
Fields that teach it
Earth sciences · Architecture and town planning
Vocational route, EU
Fewer than 1 in 10 trainees in this field
Science and maths graduates in a matching job
63% in the EU

697 institutions in the EU offer science and maths bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.44 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 8 tasks
Noting exact position of various features and recording survey data in digital form0.60
Designing, compiling and revising maps and charts using aerial and other photographs, satellite imagery, survey documents and data, existing maps and records, reports and statistics0.53
Studying and advising on technical, aesthetic and economic aspects of map production0.50
Undertaking research and development of surveying and photogrammetric measurement systems, cadastral systems and land information systems0.49
Making charts and maps to be used in determining navigable waters and channels and in planning construction of marine structures0.41
Maintaining technical liaison and consultancy with other relevant specialists0.39
Planning and conducting aerial photographic surveys0.38
Surveying, measuring and describing land surfaces, mines, underground surfaces, sea, river and lake beds0.21

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for cartographers and surveyors. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).