Is this the worst job in GIS?

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️
💨 Sign up for the Modern GIS Accelerator ➡️ https://forrest.nyc/accelerator ⬅️

In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest challenges holding back GIS professionals today: the technician trap. Sparked by a real-world job posting from one of the world’s richest tech companies—offering just $20–$22 an hour for a GIS contract role—we explore what this means for the broader industry.

Why are highly skilled spatial professionals being underpaid, and what separates a $45K contractor from a $300K geospatial data engineer? The answer lies in how you position yourself—and whether your work is seen as project-based execution or strategic value creation.

We’ll unpack:

• The pay disparity across GIS roles and what it reveals
• How entry-level positions can set the wrong trajectory
• Why spatial skills alone aren’t enough without systems thinking
• The mindset shift needed to break free from being "just a mapmaker"
• How to move from being a button-pusher to a strategic stakeholder

Whether you're just entering the GIS field or feeling stuck in your current role, this episode offers a candid look at how to grow your career by aligning technical skills with business impact—and why it's time to expect more from GIS roles.

🎧 Plus: Learn about the Modern GIS Accelerator, a program designed to help you scale your skills and reframe your career path.