Gis Specialist Jobs in California

Gis Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in environmental consulting, state and local government, transportation planning, and utility management, with openings at every level from entry-level technicians through senior analysts. The largest hiring centers are Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego, where employers such as ESRI, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and Los Angeles County have long-standing GIS operations. The most in-demand specialties are geospatial data analysis, remote sensing, and urban infrastructure mapping. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles7+
Top employerEsri
Top cityRedlands, CA
Cities hiring5
Work type57% Hybrid
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 7+ Gis Specialist jobs

Kleinfelder
Senior GIS Specialist / Project Manager
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Kleinfelder
Added 2w ago
Senior GIS Specialist / Project Manager
Kleinfelder
San Francisco, California
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
$78k - $122k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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LightBox Employer L L C
GIS Data Specialist
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LightBox Employer L L C
Added 4d ago
GIS Data Specialist
LightBox Employer L L C
Irvine, California
Data Science & Analytics
Business Analysis
Data Science
Data Analytics
$65k - $70k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Pacific Gas and Electric
Expert GIS Technical Specialist
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Pacific Gas and Electric
Added 5d ago
Expert GIS Technical Specialist
Pacific Gas and Electric
West Sacramento, California
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
Project Management
Data Science
Technical Program Management
$116k - $194k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Pacific Gas and Electric
GIS Technical Specialist, Senior
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Pacific Gas and Electric
Added 1w ago
GIS Technical Specialist, Senior
Pacific Gas and Electric
Oakland, California
Data Science & Analytics
Project & Program Management
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Specialized Engineering
Data Science
Data Analytics
Project Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
$102k - $162k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Esri
GIS Industry Solutions Specialist
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Esri
Added 3w ago
GIS Industry Solutions Specialist
Esri
Redlands, California
Marketing
Content & Communications
Partnerships & Business Development
$96k - $153k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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See All 7 Gis Specialist Jobs in California

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Gis Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Redlands
3 jobs
Irvine
1 jobs
Oakland
1 jobs
San Francisco
1 jobs
West Sacramento
1 jobs

Gis Specialist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Esri
    Esri3
  • Pacific Gas and Electric
    Pacific Gas and Electric2
  • Kleinfelder
    Kleinfelder1
  • LightBox Employer L L C
    LightBox Employer L L C1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software4
  • Energy2
  • Consulting & Professional Services1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in gis specialist jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in geography, GIS, geomatics, or a closely related spatial science field
  • Proficiency with ESRI ArcGIS suite including ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online
  • Experience with spatial data management, geodatabases, and coordinate reference systems
  • Familiarity with Python or SQL scripting for geospatial data processing and automation
  • Knowledge of California-specific datasets such as CalEnviroScreen, CAL FIRE, and Caltrans layers
  • Strong ability to produce clear cartographic outputs and communicate findings to non-GIS stakeholders

Gis Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a gis specialist in California?

Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in geography, GIS, urban planning, or environmental science as the baseline qualification. California does not issue a state license specific to GIS work, but the GIS Certification Institute's GISP credential is widely recognized by California public agencies and consulting firms. Building a portfolio of spatial analysis projects and gaining familiarity with California state datasets strengthens a candidate's profile considerably with both government and private-sector hiring teams.

How much do gis specialists make in California?

Gis specialists in California earn a median of about $134,440 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $58,340 for the lowest 10% to over $222,690 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire gis specialists in California?

Employers hiring gis specialists in California right now include Esri, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Kleinfelder, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's combination of large public agencies, utility companies, and environmental consulting firms means demand holds across both the public and private sectors throughout the year.

Which California cities have the most gis specialist jobs?

Redlands, Irvine, and Oakland have the most gis specialist openings in California. Los Angeles and Sacramento drive the bulk of demand through county government, transportation authorities, and water utilities, while San Diego's concentration of defense contractors, environmental agencies, and regional planning organizations keeps steady openings in that market as well.

Are there remote gis specialist jobs in California?

Yes, and more than many technical fields, since much of the work involves analyzing and processing digital spatial data rather than field collection. About 57% of gis specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how broadly the role can function off-site. Data management, cartography, and scripting tasks are the functions most commonly offered on a fully remote basis.

How can I get hired as a gis specialist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a GIS technician or geospatial analyst assistant role with a California county or regional planning agency, where positions are regularly posted for candidates with a relevant degree and no professional experience. CalTrans, the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, and large water districts such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California run intern and entry-level programs that place new graduates directly into GIS workflows. Building a public portfolio on platforms like GitHub using open California datasets and earning an ESRI technical certification gives applicants a concrete edge over other entry-level candidates.

Where can I find and apply to gis specialist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to gis specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and specialty area, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 7 Gis Specialist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Gis Specialist Jobs