GIS Data Specialist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a GIS Data Specialist

Best Schools to become a GIS Data Specialist 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

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

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL

In-State Tuition:$4,559
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,473
Admission Rate:44%
Graduation Rate:74%
Total Enrollment:49,600
GIS Data Specialist Job Description:
  • Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases.
  • May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a GIS Data Specialist

Job Duties for GIS Data Specialists

  • Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications.

  • Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.

  • Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.

Technologies and Skills Used by GIS Data Specialists

Development environment software

  • Go
  • Microsoft .NET Framework

Web platform development software

  • Bootstrap
  • React

Word processing software

  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft Word

Basic Skills

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

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

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

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a GIS Data Specialist

Additional Resources To Help You Become a GIS Data Specialist

FAQs About Becoming a GIS Data Specialist