Will AI replace geographic information systems technologists and technicians?

Some tasks are already being done by AI or machines; the rest still needs a person. About 2h 2m of a typical shift is made up of tasks that AI or robots have done on their own in real use somewhere. That doesn't mean those hours are automated in a typical workplace. The breakdown: 18m done by people with AI help, 2h 2m that AI mostly does alone. The other 5h 40m (71%) stays with people. Separately, BLS expects about 5.1% more of these jobs by 2035 (all jobs: +3.5%).

AI shows up regularly in 7 of 29 tasks, about 2h 20m of a typical shift. The biggest ones:

• Perform computer programming, data analysis, or software development for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications, including the maintenance of existing systems or research and development for future enhancements. (30m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software. (30m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, equipment, or applications. (18m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Document, design, code, or test Geographic Information Systems (GIS) models, internet mapping solutions, or other applications. (18m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Create, analyze, report, convert, or transfer data, using specialized applications program software. (18m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)

5h 40m of a typical shift, or 71%, goes to tasks with no AI or robot evidence yet. No AI usage or robot deployment has shown up for these so far. The biggest:

• Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems. (55m a shift)
• Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases. (43m a shift)
• Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps, scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital data. (30m a shift)
• Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation. (30m a shift)
• Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications. (24m a shift)

For the 5 tasks in this job where AI shows up and timing data exists, a typical request takes about 4h 33m for a person alone and about 1h 3m with AI. These are Claude's own estimates from real conversations in April and May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index). They describe single requests, not whole workdays, and time saved on a task doesn't mean jobs are cut. The biggest gaps:

• Perform computer programming, data analysis, or software development for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications, including the maintenance of existing systems or research and development for future enhancements (about 7h 43m alone, 1h 6m with AI)
• Create, analyze, report, convert, or transfer data, using specialized applications program software (about 6h 29m alone, 29m with AI)
• Confer with users to analyze, configure, or troubleshoot applications (about 4h 33m alone, 1h 21m with AI)

On Indeed, job postings in the IT Systems & Solutions sector are at 77% of their February 2020 level (all U.S. postings: 104%), up 10.8% from a year earlier, as of Oct 9, 2026. BLS separately expects about 27,000 openings a year in this job through 2035. Across all U.S. postings, 7.3% now mention AI skills. Sector postings cover more than this one job and move for many reasons besides AI.

The median pay is about $116,580 a year ($56.05 an hour), 129% above the median for all U.S. jobs ($50,980). Most people in this job earn between $55,940 and $188,470 a year; that range covers the middle 80%. Pay figures are from BLS, May 2025, and vary a lot by state and employer. Pick a state to compare:

BLS projects growth of 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% growth for all jobs. That's about 495,000 jobs in 2035. It expects about 27,000 openings a year, mostly from people retiring or changing careers. These projections don't single out AI as a cause.

About 435,000 people in the U.S., roughly 0.28% of all workers (BLS, May 2025). That makes it the 94th largest of the 796 jobs on this site. BLS expects about 495,000 in 2035.

O*NET rates the job at level 3 of 5 for preparation, which usually means: vocational school or associate's degree. Requirements vary by state and employer, especially for licensed work.

These come from the job's official skill ratings and from the tasks that AI and robots touch least today. Building them keeps you strong in the parts of the work that still need a person:

• Skills that matter more here than in most jobs: Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving
• Get strong at the parts of the job that stay with people (listed above), which take 5h 40m of a typical shift
• Tools employers list: Structured query language SQL, Python, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Excel
• Learn to use AI well on the tasks where it already shows up in this job (listed above)

These use similar skills, with less of a typical shift touched by AI or robots. Matches come from 109 official ratings of skills, knowledge and work activities, and each needs the same or less preparation unless the official list relates the jobs directly:

• Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (1h 5m touched, $81k median pay)
• Geographers (1h 25m touched, $102k median pay)
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians (1h 37m touched, $54k median pay)
• Geodetic Surveyors (0m touched, $75k median pay)

Each task carries its own evidence label. For this job: 7 observed in real AI use, 22 with no AI or robot evidence found. The minutes per task are estimates, not measured hours, and "no evidence" doesn't prove a task is safe.