Geospatial Analyst / GIS.
Los Angeles.
$86,000
median salary, 18% above the national average
$66,000 to $113,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
Los Angeles is 18% more expensive than the national average. For Geospatial Analyst / GISs, that shakes out to a median of $86,000, with the full range spanning $66,000 to $113,000. Industry application drives the widest pay variation, with defense, oil and gas, and tech companies paying 20 to 35% more than government or environmental consulting. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
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How Los Angeles compares
Los Angeles, CA
$86,000
Cost of living: 18% above average
National Average
$73,000
Los Angeles is $13,000 above
What you should know
The Geospatial Analyst / GIS landscape in Los Angeles is not what most salary sites will tell you. Los Angeles blends a thriving entertainment industry with a growing tech and startup ecosystem, often called Silicon Beach. The city's diverse economy spans aerospace, healthcare, fashion, and gaming. LA offers strong salaries that, while below San Francisco levels, pair with a broader lifestyle appeal and lower housing costs relative to the Bay Area. Industry application drives the widest pay variation, with defense, oil and gas, and tech companies paying 20 to 35% more than government or environmental consulting. Proficiency in Python, R, and cloud-based geospatial platforms boosts earnings significantly. Remote sensing and LiDAR processing skills add notable premiums.
Junior GIS analysts start at $56,000 to $65,000. Senior geospatial analysts earn $73,000 to $96,000 after four to six years. GIS managers and geospatial directors reach $100,000 to $135,000, with principal spatial data scientists at tech firms exceeding $150,000. In Los Angeles, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 18% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Government GIS roles offer stable benefits, pension, and step increases. Defense contractors add clearance pay of $5,000 to $15,000. Tech companies working on mapping, autonomous vehicles, or logistics offer equity grants and 10 to 15% bonuses. And on the tax side: california's 13.3% top state income tax rate applies to LA earners as well. There is no city income tax, but the high state rate makes take home pay lower than cities in no income tax states. When someone quotes you $86,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers. The range for Geospatial Analyst / GISs in Los Angeles runs from $66,000 to $113,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Los Angeles
Negotiating in Los Angeles
Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers.