Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
Machines can already do 58% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 83%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 58% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 31% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 83% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 435,370 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $116,580 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 45% for contact with people.
- Also called: Geospatial Technician, GIS Admin (Geographic Information Systems Administrator), GIS Analyst (Geographic Information System Analyst), GIS Analyst (Geographic Information Systems Analyst).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems | 11% | 52% to 80% | |
| Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases | 9% | 50% to 78% | |
| Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation | 6% | 70% to 95% | |
| Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps, scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital data | 6% | 65% to 92% | |
| Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software | 6% | 81% to 97% | |
| Perform computer programming, data analysis, or software development for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications, including the maintenance of existing systems or research and development for future enhancements | 6% | 81% to 97% | |
| Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications | 5% | 35% to 65% | |
| Collect, compile, or integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, such as remote sensing or cartographic data for inclusion in map manuscripts | 5% | 65% to 92% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills geographic information systems technologists and technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Computer Hardware Engineers71% of tasks by 2035 · US median $161,740
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer78% of tasks by 2035 · US median $130,220
- Electrical Engineers64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $120,630
- Computer and Information Research Scientists76% of tasks by 2035 · US median $140,300
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of geographic information systems technologists and technicians?
Machines can do 58% of the tasks of geographic information systems technologists and technicians today and 83% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 15-1299.02 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians/