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What salary could I expect?

Proprioceptive

Golden Member
OKay, okay, so I know this is a very general question, but anything helps. I'm getting a degree in Geography, specializing in GIS and getting a minor in CS. I will be graduating with a GIS certificate and Geospatial Intelligence certificate. Anyone out there have any idea what kind of salary I'll be looking at with my first job? (Let's assume I'm actually GOOD at my job... you know for grins and giggles 😉).
 
I have a BA in Communication and Rhetoric. I got a job in a manager training program at a bank, 36k with awesome benefits.

There is no way to know how much you'll make or where you'll make it.
 
If you're graduating this year... well, you can't file for unemployment unless you've been employed full time for some time, so I guess you'll be making about $7 an hour working at McDonald's.
 
Originally posted by: mugs
If you're graduating this year... well, you can't file for unemployment unless you've been employed full time for some time, so I guess you'll be making about $7 an hour working at McDonald's.

I've heard that even those jobs are hard to find now because of there being so many people looking for work.
 
Originally posted by: Bignate603
Originally posted by: mugs
If you're graduating this year... well, you can't file for unemployment unless you've been employed full time for some time, so I guess you'll be making about $7 an hour working at McDonald's.

I've heard that even those jobs are hard to find now because of there being so many people looking for work.

I swear...if some douche at McDonalds starts giving me a cost benefit analysis of why I should upgrade to large size...I will go postal.
 
Nope, I graduate in two years. Actually, I can attest to the "hard to find $7/hr jobs". They're hard to come by around here. Being a college town, most of the students suck up all the good lower-end jobs. I'm currently trying to find a job while I finish school myself.
 
Originally posted by: Proprioceptive
OKay, okay, so I know this is a very general question, but anything helps. I'm getting a degree in Geography, specializing in GIS and getting a minor in CS. I will be graduating with a GIS certificate and Geospatial Intelligence certificate. Anyone out there have any idea what kind of salary I'll be looking at with my first job? (Let's assume I'm actually GOOD at my job... you know for grins and giggles 😉).

Should be able to pull at least 40k. We just finished hiring our last GIS specialist a couple months ago.
 
I know I'm late to the party, but it depends (like you couldn't see that coming).

A lot of places are looking for GIS people with experience. I know we've had widely varying success with recent college grads. A lot of it is drive and the ability to reason. It's easy to say "Oh, I'll just extract this road from imagery" or "Oh, I'll just change this pipeline from active to inactive" and go on your merry little way. It seems to be more difficult for people to consider the consequences of these actions and realize that a spreadsheet might need to be updated, or a database looked at as a result of these actions.

Usually after two or three years you either get it and can be productive or you don't and will have a harder time getting hired on at a better position. In theory, anyway.

I started out making $10/hr at my current company in 2004. I had no experience and no degree. At 26 I've bought a house and am living comfortably while working at the same company. There's money in it if you apply yourself.

It sounds like you'll be getting a security clearance, which is very desirable. It's also a huge pain for your company, so they'll want you to stick around once you get it. You're lucky in that you live near St. Louis which is an *awesome* place to be if you want a GIS job.

With that in mind, I'd expect to start out from $32-45K depending on the company and how smooth you are. Boeing is laying people off, but I don't think their GIS staff is part of that. Northrop Grumman is there too, and I think SAIC is as well. As long as you know your way around ArcGIS, Office, maybe some VBA, you'll be set. Hell, I worked at McDonald's when I applied for my current job.

Hope this helps. :beer:

 
Originally posted by: MoPHo
I have a BA in Communication and Rhetoric. I got a job in a manager training program at a bank, 36k with awesome benefits.

There is no way to know how much you'll make or where you'll make it.

How much did you pay for college to make $36K????
 
Originally posted by: mugs
If you're graduating this year... well, you can't file for unemployment unless you've been employed full time for some time, so I guess you'll be making about $7 an hour working at McDonald's.
This guy is right.
How much did you pay for college to make $36K????
After college I then paid about $22k for an IT diploma over 9 months and then started out at 25k. I felt thrilled 🙂 Gotta start somewhere! Now I roll so much green it's a damn shame, bling it up 24/7, always have the most recent model year Porsche and bitches galore.

You can guess in that paragraph where I started not telling the truth.
 
Originally posted by: MoPHo
I have a BA in Communication and Rhetoric. I got a job in a manager training program at a bank, 36k with awesome benefits.

There is no way to know how much you'll make or where you'll make it.

HAHA, I only have an associates degree and I make the same as you!
 
Originally posted by: NSFW
Originally posted by: Bignate603
Originally posted by: mugs
If you're graduating this year... well, you can't file for unemployment unless you've been employed full time for some time, so I guess you'll be making about $7 an hour working at McDonald's.

I've heard that even those jobs are hard to find now because of there being so many people looking for work.

I swear...if some douche at McDonalds starts giving me a cost benefit analysis of why I should upgrade to large size...I will go postal.

well, if you look at the relative size and cost of the relative sizes, you're getting a much better deal by going with...
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: mugs
If you're graduating this year... well, you can't file for unemployment unless you've been employed full time for some time, so I guess you'll be making about $7 an hour working at McDonald's.
This guy is right.

The GIS industry is doing very well right now. I know several people who have gotten jobs lately, and it seems like we have a new employee every other week. I'm not sure what makes you say he'll be working at McDonald's.

 
From my work:

GIS Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst is the first level in a two level GIS series. Incumbents are responsible for developing, analyzing, and maintaining computer systems. The GIS Analyst is distinguished from the Senior GIS Analyst, which is responsible for performing complex systems analyst activities related to geographical information systems. Generates maps, graphs, and report formats using GIS software. Typical duties include generates, processes, manipulates, and manages spatial data to create maps and models. Creates visualization products from groundwater models with GIS and 3-D visualization software, which includes: maps, graphs, reports, and other related output. Provides technical support to users and peers. Communicates with other employees and external agencies regarding projects. Manages assigned projects, which includes: assessing and managing work flows and tasks; determining time frames; coordinating resources; prioritizing tasks; developing goals; and, performing other related duties. Creates and maintains databases of attribute data associated with spatial features. Maintains inventory of maps. Researches and implements future projects, which involves evaluating and identifying hardware, software, and vendors. Assists in budget preparation by obtaining pricing and upgrade information on hardware, software, and peripherals. Analyzes, interprets, and makes recommendations based on applicable data, which includes: reading and evaluating logs; applying laws of superposition; generating reports; evaluating chemical composition; reviewing lithology data; determining bad data points; and, performing other related duties. Evaluates, recommends, and installs new software, hardware, and peripheral equipment. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level. Knowledge of ArcGIS 9.x (ArcView, ArcEditor and/or ArcInfo); ArcSDE 9.x; Oracle 9i or 10g; Applicable computer programming languages; Map development methods; Graphic layout techniques; Relational Database Management Systems; GIS principles and concepts; Project management principles; Hydrogeology principles. Skill in estimating and scheduling work; Generating, editing, processing, and maintaining GIS data; Designing maps; Managing operating systems; Programming computers and software; Troubleshooting and repairing peripheral equipment; Calculating length, area, volume, and rate; Creating 3-D diagrams; Creating graphic layouts; Interpreting contour maps of geologic formations and water levels; Managing projects; Generating and managing new GIS coverage?s; Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.




QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Geographic Information Systems, Geography, Geology, Cartography, Remote Sensing, Computer Science or a closely related field. Two years of GIS experience using ESRI's ArcGIS 9 for analysis, mapping and data development/conversion/editing/integration; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Salary Range: $30.48 - $38.10 per hour
 
Originally posted by: FleshLight
From my work:

GIS Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst is the first level in a two level GIS series. Incumbents are responsible for developing, analyzing, and maintaining computer systems. The GIS Analyst is distinguished from the Senior GIS Analyst, which is responsible for performing complex systems analyst activities related to geographical information systems. Generates maps, graphs, and report formats using GIS software. Typical duties include generates, processes, manipulates, and manages spatial data to create maps and models. Creates visualization products from groundwater models with GIS and 3-D visualization software, which includes: maps, graphs, reports, and other related output. Provides technical support to users and peers. Communicates with other employees and external agencies regarding projects. Manages assigned projects, which includes: assessing and managing work flows and tasks; determining time frames; coordinating resources; prioritizing tasks; developing goals; and, performing other related duties. Creates and maintains databases of attribute data associated with spatial features. Maintains inventory of maps. Researches and implements future projects, which involves evaluating and identifying hardware, software, and vendors. Assists in budget preparation by obtaining pricing and upgrade information on hardware, software, and peripherals. Analyzes, interprets, and makes recommendations based on applicable data, which includes: reading and evaluating logs; applying laws of superposition; generating reports; evaluating chemical composition; reviewing lithology data; determining bad data points; and, performing other related duties. Evaluates, recommends, and installs new software, hardware, and peripheral equipment. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level. Knowledge of ArcGIS 9.x (ArcView, ArcEditor and/or ArcInfo); ArcSDE 9.x; Oracle 9i or 10g; Applicable computer programming languages; Map development methods; Graphic layout techniques; Relational Database Management Systems; GIS principles and concepts; Project management principles; Hydrogeology principles. Skill in estimating and scheduling work; Generating, editing, processing, and maintaining GIS data; Designing maps; Managing operating systems; Programming computers and software; Troubleshooting and repairing peripheral equipment; Calculating length, area, volume, and rate; Creating 3-D diagrams; Creating graphic layouts; Interpreting contour maps of geologic formations and water levels; Managing projects; Generating and managing new GIS coverage?s; Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.




QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Geographic Information Systems, Geography, Geology, Cartography, Remote Sensing, Computer Science or a closely related field. Two years of GIS experience using ESRI's ArcGIS 9 for analysis, mapping and data development/conversion/editing/integration; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Salary Range: $30.48 - $38.10 per hour

Wow. I must work for the wrong company... 😉
 
Originally posted by: Proprioceptive
Nope, I graduate in two years. Actually, I can attest to the "hard to find $7/hr jobs". They're hard to come by around here. Being a college town, most of the students suck up all the good lower-end jobs. I'm currently trying to find a job while I finish school myself.

I do GIS as well, albeit in an archaeology sense. Go find a local GIS company and get an in. I did that with a local firm, and I got asked to write a paper with them...

Do you use ESRI or another software package?
 
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