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AI Automation Index
Will AI Replace Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians?
Task-level automation exposure for Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians: 29 O*NET tasks scored against their work activities, plus the simulator.
E-E-A-T Verified
Developed & audited by Gini Loh Automation Exposure
71%
weighted task index
29 of 29 tasks scored
Median Salary
$116,580 / year
BLS OEWS, May 2025 — this exact occupation
Employment Level
Very High
435,370 people hold this job — size, not growth
Projected 2025–35
+5.1%
employment change
27,000 openings a year · BLS line item
Pay by state
BLS OEWS publishes 54 state estimates for this occupation. Each is its own survey estimate, not the national median adjusted for local prices.
$60,470 – $156,590
Highest medians
District of Columbia $156,590
Maryland $144,680
Colorado $139,580
Virginia $139,030
Delaware $137,470
Lowest medians
Puerto Rico $60,470
Tennessee $76,470
Guam $76,770
Louisiana $77,000
North Dakota $78,330
State figures come from the 15-1299 row in the May 2025 state panel. States where the estimate was suppressed or too small to publish are absent.
What the score is made of
Each task is mapped to its work activities, scored for AI automation potential, and weighted by how important those activities are to the job. These are the components.
Automation potential 71%
Importance-weighted mean of the scored tasks. This is the headline index.
Physical work 0%
Share of weighted tasks in hands-on or machine-operating work activities.
Judgment & influence 87%
Share in analysis, decisions, teaching, directing, advising, or caring for others.
Routine administration 8%
Share in documenting, recording, and administrative activities.
Rewritten by O*NET 0%
Share of weighted tasks O*NET rewrote in a recent update. Reported, not folded into the score.
Consequence of error 20/100
Low
O*NET's own rating of how serious an uncorrectable mistake would be here — respondents, not us. Deliberately not in the index: the score measures what AI can do with the task content, and multiplying it by stakes would be our judgment dressed as data.
Constituent Task Mix
29 tasks for this occupation, weighted by work-activity importance. Shares below are of total task weight, not task count.
High exposure (≥ 60% of the task is automatable) 85%
24 tasks
Medium exposure (≥ 35%) 15%
5 tasks
Low exposure (below 35%) 0%
0 tasks
How would you survive?
Move your week away from the high-exposure tasks and toward the ones that need judgment. The simulator recalculates the index as you shift the mix.
Simulate Upskilling →Emerging & rewritten tasks
Tasks O*NET added or rewrote for this occupation in its recent updates (05/2025 – 08/2026), with who proposed them. Additions are not in the scored task inventory — they are new work O*NET is still measuring, so they appear here and nowhere in the index. A Revision replaces a task that is scored, which is why only those move the "Rewritten by O*NET" share.
- New 08/2026 · Incumbent
Install Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software or updates.
Constituent Tasks
#21721 · Core · 78% automatable
Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
data analysis — Data quality profiling automated, human sets standards
Evaluate data quality.
#21715 · Core · 74% automatable
Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
data analysis — Analytical reports drafted; human validates analysis
Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information. Prepare analytical reports.
#21717 · Core · 80% automatable
Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
data analysis — Database updates routine and automatable
Create databases to store electronic data. Update computer database information.
#21725 · Core · 72% automatable
Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
visual inspection — Creates data graphics; accuracy and design review human
Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
#21720 · Core · 85% automatable
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.
data analysis — Database updates routine and automatable
Update computer database information.
#21728 · Core · 82% automatable
Interpret aerial or ortho photographs.
data analysis — Trend and relationship detection in data
Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
#21731 · Core · 84% automatable
Create, analyze, report, convert, or transfer data, using specialized applications program software.
data analysis — Data preparation for analysis automatable
Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables. Prepare data for analysis.
#21733 · Core · 68% automatable
Design, program, or model Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications or procedures.
text generation — Code generation strong; human reviews and integrates
Design software applications. Write computer programming code. Develop models of information or communications systems.
#21722 · Core · 50% automatable
Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software.
data analysis — Model formulation aided; validation human-owned
Develop scientific or mathematical models.
#21729 · Core · 50% automatable
Meet with clients to discuss topics such as technical specifications, customized solutions, or operational problems.
decision support — AI coordinates cross-team plans; human resolves conflicts
Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.
#21716 · Core · 72% automatable
Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications.
visual inspection — Creates data graphics; accuracy and design review human
Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
#21718 · Core · 70% automatable
Provide technical expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to clients or users.
decision support — Software support is largely diagnosable with human review
Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
#21723 · Core · 75% automatable
Design or coordinate the development of integrated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial or non-spatial databases.
text generation — Database creation largely automatable; human reviews
Create databases to store electronic data.
#21732 · Core · 61% automatable
Confer with users to analyze, configure, or troubleshoot applications.
decision support — IT troubleshooting collaboration well-supported by AI
Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems. Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
#21727 · Core · 85% automatable
Collect, compile, or integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, such as remote sensing or cartographic data for inclusion in map manuscripts.
data analysis — Data preparation for analysis automatable
Prepare data for analysis.
#21738 · Core · 72% automatable
Transfer or rescale information from original photographs onto maps or other photographs.
visual inspection — Creates data graphics; accuracy and design review human
Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
#21724 · Core · 82% automatable
Perform integrated or computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses to address scientific problems.
data analysis — Trend and relationship detection in data
Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
#21726 · Core · 70% automatable
Provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, equipment, or applications.
decision support — Software support is largely diagnosable with human review
Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
#21741 · Core · 46% automatable
Conduct research, data analysis, systems design, or support for software such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Global Positioning Systems (GPS) mapping software.
decision support — Integrated systems need human architecture and stakeholder judgment
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes. Design integrated computer systems.
#21742 · Core · 80% automatable
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
information retrieval — AI scans trend sources; human weighs relevance
Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
#21730 · Core · 71% automatable
Document, design, code, or test Geographic Information Systems (GIS) models, internet mapping solutions, or other applications.
text generation — Draft technical specs from given requirements
Test software performance. Design computer modeling or simulation programs. Document technical specifications or requirements.
#21737 · Core · 72% automatable
Create visual representations of geospatial data, using complex procedures such as analytical modeling, three-dimensional renderings, or plot creation.
visual inspection — Creates data graphics; accuracy and design review human
Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
#21743 · Core · 72% automatable
Recommend procedures, equipment, or software upgrades to increase data accessibility or ease of use.
decision support — Drafts sound recommendations; human validates against real systems
Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
#21719 · Supplemental · 72% automatable
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.
text generation — Code generation strong; human reviews and integrates
Design software applications. Write computer programming code.
#21734 · Supplemental · 75% automatable
Develop specialized computer software routines, internet-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, or business applications to customize geographic information.
text generation — Database creation largely automatable; human reviews
Create databases to store electronic data.
#21736 · Supplemental · 55% automatable
Assist users in formulating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) requirements or understanding the implications of alternatives.
interpersonal — Collaborative spec-setting requires human negotiation
Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
#21739 · Supplemental · 55% automatable
Prepare training materials for, or make presentations to, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) users.
interpersonal — Software training content AI-generatable, live coaching human
Train others in computer interface or software use.
#21735 · Supplemental · 72% automatable
Make recommendations regarding upgrades, considering implications of new or revised Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, equipment, or applications.
decision support — Drafts sound recommendations; human validates against real systems
Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
#21740 · Supplemental · 70% automatable
Apply three-dimensional (3D) or four-dimensional (4D) technologies to geospatial data to allow for new or different analyses or applications.
visual inspection — Creates data graphics; accuracy and design review human
Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data for use in green applications. Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
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How this was scored
- 1. Tasks. O*NET task statements for this occupation, from a release whose newest record is dated 08/2026.
- 2. Work activities. Each task maps to 1–5 Detailed Work Activities; each activity belongs to one of 41 Generalized Work Activities that O*NET rates for importance (1–5) in this occupation.
- 3. Automation potential. Every work activity carries one score for how far current AI can perform it end-to-end. Tasks inherit the mean of their activities.
- 4. Weighting. Task weight = 0.35 + 0.65 × (importance − 1)/4, scaled by how often the task is performed and by 0.7 for Supplemental tasks. Importance is the task's own O*NET rating where it exists (18,369 of 18,838 tasks); the rest inherit their work activities' importance. The index is the weighted mean.
Check: across the 910 occupations where O*NET also rates how far machine speed sets the pace, this index moves opposite to it (Spearman ρ = -0.49). The more a job is paced by equipment, the less of its task content AI can address — the relationship you would expect if the scoring is working.
Sources · O*NET 31.0 (task records to 08/2026) · BLS OEWS May 2025 · BLS projections 2025-2035 · rubric v2.1 · tasks for O*NET, not a forecast
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