Also called: GIS Developer, Mapping Software Engineer
Builds the software behind digital maps, navigation apps, and satellite image analysis.
A geospatial engineer writes code for a map app that routes delivery trucks, processes satellite images in the cloud, and builds tools that turn location data into insights.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in computer science or geography with programming.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Geography, Geographic Information Science.
Growing much faster than average (about 8% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 15-1252: Much faster than average (7% or higher).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI writes more routine code; designing map and imagery systems that scale stays human engineering.
Classes: AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, AP Human Geography.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1252.
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