How To Become A GIS Coordinator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a gis coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Dr. Christopher Brown Ph.D.

As a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator, you are professionally responsible for utilizing the GIS techniques and software to analyze spatial and non-spatial data to explain certain geographical trends and patterns. A GIS Coordinator is also responsible for the training of staff in his/her /her department since he/she is a member of the management team.

To succeed in a GIS coordinator role, you must have a deep understanding of geography and possess crucial skills such as analytical skills, map reading, ability to interpret data, and advanced knowledge in programming languages such as Python or ArcObjects.

A GIS Coordinator can work in an array of sectors, including government, transport, archaeology, health, geology, urban planning, among others. Specific duties include using GIS software to analyze spatial data, using data visualization to prepare reports, developing mapping software, creating detailed digital maps, budgeting, among others.

A GIS Coordinator works in an office setting most of the time but may need to do some fieldwork from time to time. They typically have a 40-week work week 9-5 but may work longer hours when working in the field.

What general advice would you give to a GIS Coordinator?

Dr. Christopher Brown Ph.D.

Professor, New Mexico State University

Start researching early, really early, as in when are still in college. ID 3 jobs you would really want to have, unpack the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed, then make sure you acquires these KSAs in your work at University. Secure and internship or co-op in college, as these often lead to permanent jobs. Doing this let's prospective employers get to know you and your work ethic, and this makes you a preferred candidate. Learn all you can about the people who are interviewing you, make reference to key things you learn, and get to know them as much as you can in an interview. After the interview, send a thank you email, noting how much you enjoyed meeting them and how excited you are about the potential job.

ScoreGIS CoordinatorUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $51,492

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

4.1

Growth Rate 9%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 27.74%

male 72.26%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress Level

4.1

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.7

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

9.4

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

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Key steps to become a gis coordinator

Explore gis coordinator education requirements

Most common gis coordinator degrees

Bachelor's

69.1 %

Master's

17.1 %

Associate

9.9 %

Start to develop specific gis coordinator skills

Skills	Percentages
GPS	10.39%
GIS Data	9.43%
Arcgis Online	7.69%
Python	6.74%
Esri	6.40%

Complete relevant gis coordinator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New gis coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a gis coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real gis coordinator resumes.

Research gis coordinator duties and responsibilities

Manage client data and perform database extraction regularly to make timely data updates.
Project manager and system administrator for GPS pipeline data collection system.
Act as DBA for the organization's enterprise geodatabases (ArcSDE v10.1and SQL 2008 R2).
Used python scripting and ModelBuilder for geoprocessing and analysis on a debris flow research project.

Prepare your gis coordinator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your gis coordinator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a gis coordinator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable GIS Coordinator Resume templates

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Apply for gis coordinator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a gis coordinator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do gis coordinators rate their job?

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GIS Coordinator reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019

Pros

Creating maps, data sorting, spatial analysis, training, geo referencing, digitizing, creating shapefiles, map clipping/dissolving, map styling/decorating

Cons

programming