GIS Mapping Technician Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a GIS Mapping Technician

Best Schools to become a GIS Mapping Technician in U.S. 2024

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH

In-State Tuition:$15,000
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,000
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:164,091

American Public University System

Charles Town, WV

In-State Tuition:$6,840
Out-of-State Tuition:$6,840
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:55%
Total Enrollment:48,668

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park, PA

In-State Tuition:$15,054
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,054
Admission Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:36%
Total Enrollment:13,979

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS

In-State Tuition:$9,248
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,294
Admission Rate:75%
Graduation Rate:63%
Total Enrollment:22,649

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR

In-State Tuition:$10,425
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,200
Admission Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:70%
Total Enrollment:34,292

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH

In-State Tuition:$11,525
Out-of-State Tuition:$35,782
Admission Rate:53%
Graduation Rate:88%
Total Enrollment:60,540
GIS Mapping Technician Job Description:
  • Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes.
  • May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features.
  • May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a GIS Mapping Technician

Job Duties for GIS Mapping Technicians

  • Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.

  • Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.

  • Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.

Technologies and Skills Used by GIS Mapping Technicians

Analytical or scientific software

  • Coordinate geometry COGO software
  • Triton Elics International Isis

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Bentley MicroStation

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Reading work related information
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a GIS Mapping Technician

Additional Resources To Help You Become a GIS Mapping Technician

FAQs About Becoming a GIS Mapping Technician