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Median Salary: $68,640.00 Change in Salary (2008–2014): +25% Total Employees: 7,200 Change in Employees (2008–2014): +20%
The explosion of big data and the growing need for location-aware hardware and software has led to a boom in the field of mapping. In Canada especially, there is a strong need for geospatial analysts in the natural resources sector; those autonomous cars we all hope to be driven around in a few years from now need to know where they’re going, and this class of technology workers will pave the way.
How to Qualify: There are several types of geomatics education, ranging from college courses that offer a 2–3 year path to technician jobs, through to graduate-level studies. Digital mapping technologies have transformed this field in recent years and the technology is evolving quickly, so a commitment to professional development over time will pay off.
Money: At just under $70,000, this is the lowest-paying occupation amongst the top 20 jobs. But it has shown several years of strong wage growth, and demand for qualified candidates is growing, which should put upward pressure on salaries in the coming years.
Opportunity: Though it’s still a relatively small field, with just over 7,200 positions currently, it is poised for growth, with the highest projected demand among the top 20 jobs—predictions suggest there will be 1.59 jobs for every qualified worker by 2022. Though this is a highly specialized skill-set, mapping technologists are found in a wide range of fields, from the military to natural resources to transportation and logistics.
