Career Details

Geographic Information Systems Professional

Description

The GISP certification program was founded on the principle that real-world work experience combined with education and professional association activities could serve as a proxy for a comprehensive exam on the basics of geographic information science and technology (GIS&T). This was because, when the GISCI program was created, there was no established guide for the content of such a test.

Certifying Organization

GIS Certification Institute

Details

If significant education or training is needed? Yes

If significant work experience is needed? Yes

Is an exam required? Yes

How many years until certification must be renewed? 5 year(s)

Certification can be renewed with Continuing Education Units? No

Certification can be renewed with re-examination? Yes

Certification can be renewed with Continuing Professional Development? Yes

Certification can be renewed in multiple ways? Yes

Certificates

Certificate name

Certified Photogrammetric Technologist

Certifying Organization

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing - Imaging & Geospatial Information Society

Type

A - Core

Certificate name

Certified GIS/LIS Technologist

Certifying Organization

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing - Imaging & Geospatial Information Society

Type

A - Core

Certificate name

LEED AP Neighborhood Development

Certifying Organization

Green Business Certification Inc.

Type

B - Advanced

Related Careers

Civil Engineers

Median Annual Income

$100,122

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

RealisticInvestigativeConventional

Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate

Median Annual Income

$61,106

Projected Job Growth

+4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Financial Services

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Appraise real estate, exclusively, and estimate its fair value. May assess taxes in accordance with prescribed schedules.

ConventionalEnterprising

Geodetic Surveyors

Median Annual Income

$70,192

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Energy & Natural Resources

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.

RealisticConventionalInvestigative

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Median Annual Income

$49,273

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Energy & Natural Resources

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

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.

RealisticConventionalInvestigative

Construction and Building Inspectors

Median Annual Income

$65,652

Projected Job Growth

0 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

RealisticConventionalInvestigative

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Median Annual Income

$81,860

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

ConventionalInvestigativeRealistic

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

Median Annual Income

$42,531

Projected Job Growth

+4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Assist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.

RealisticConventionalInvestigative

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Median Annual Income

$60,174

Projected Job Growth

+2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

RealisticInvestigativeConventional

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

Median Annual Income

$97,767

Projected Job Growth

+2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Energy & Natural Resources

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.

RealisticInvestigativeConventional

Architectural and Civil Drafters

Median Annual Income

$65,422

Projected Job Growth

+1 %

Career Cluster(s)

Construction

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

RealisticConventionalArtisticInvestigative

Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

Median Annual Income

Projected Job Growth

+11 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

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.

ConventionalInvestigativeRealistic

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Median Annual Income

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

ConventionalInvestigativeRealistic

Surveyors

Median Annual Income

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Energy & Natural Resources

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.

ConventionalRealisticInvestigative

Your One Stop Shop For All Career Resources

Whether you are exploring new career paths, building your resume, or preparing for your next opportunity, our tools, templates, and guidance are designed to help you navigate your career journey with clarity and confidence.