What are the prospects for employment in GIS and related industries?

Current and prospective GIS students regularly inquire about prospects for employment in the geospatial technology industry and in related fields where GIS is useful. Fortunately for GIS job seekers, many projections from government agencies and market research firms alike point toward considerable growth of the geospatial technology industry as well as growth in GIS-related employment sectors and fields. The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), for example, cites an annual growth rate of approximately 35 percent for the geospatial technology industry, with reliable public sector revenue accounting for approximately one third of the industry's total annual receipts. Likewise, P&S Market Research estimates a compound annual growth rate of 11 percent from 2015 to 2020 for the global GIS market.

A particular highlight is the field of cartography and photogrammetry. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in the field of cartography and photogrammetry are expected to grow by approximately 29% between 2014 and 2024, with a total estimated growth of 3,600 jobs over this same period. With a median salary over $60,000 and only a four-year college degree expected for entry-level employment, employment in jobs related to cartography and photogrammetry are excellent opportunities for recent university graduates who have GIS experience and certification. BLS additionally estimates that cartography and photogrammetry will be one of the twenty fastest growing occupations in the United States between 2014 and 2024.