Salary AI Book a Demo

GIS Lead Salary in California

How much does a GIS Lead make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a GIS Lead in California is $81,086 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, a GIS Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $94,794
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,467 to $88,261
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,441
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out GIS Lead Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence GIS Lead Salaries

A GIS Lead's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects GIS Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a GIS Lead's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $76,977
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $77,291
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $78,023
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $78,859
  • Expert (over 8 years): $80,289
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level GIS Lead less than 1 year $76,977
Early Career Level GIS Lead 1-2 years $77,291
Mid-Level Level GIS Lead 2-4 years $78,023
Senior-Level Level GIS Lead 5-8 years $78,859
Expert Level GIS Lead over 8 years $80,289

How Do GIS Lead Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract GIS Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $81,395.
  • California: $81,086.
  • Massachusetts: $80,005.

Top Paying Cities for GIS Lead

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $81,226
  • West Hollywood: $81,167
  • Dodgertown: $81,225

GIS Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For GIS Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Chemicals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, GIS Lead positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view GIS Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a GIS Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Chemicals $105,412 $51.0 30%
Internet $97,303 $47.0 20%
Software & Networking $95,682 $46.0 18%
Aerospace & Defense $93,249 $45.0 15%
Energy & Utilities $93,249 $45.0 15%

GIS Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a GIS Lead's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$74,467
Average $81,086/year
$88,261
$6,206
Average $6,757/month
$7,355
$1,432
Average $1,559/week
$1,697
$36
Average $39/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,261 $7,355 $1,697 $42
Average $81,086 $6,757 $1,559 $39
25th Percentile $74,467 $6,206 $1,432 $36

Find Your Next GIS Lead Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current GIS Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA

    Information Technology GIS Analyst

    The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Overview:At the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver reliable water to a region with 19 million people--and to accomplish thi... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Pacific Gas And Electric Company | Oakland, CA

    Expert GIS Programmer Analyst

    Pacific Gas And Electric Company | Oakland, CA

    Position SummaryThe Programmer Analyst, Expert position is responsible for hands on development, configuration and deployment of GIS applications using pri... more

    2 Days Ago

  • SKY Partners LLC | Los Angeles, CA

    Principal GIS&amp Enterprise Technology Architect Consultant

    SKY Partners LLC | Los Angeles, CA

    Principal GIS & Enterprise Technology Architect — Consultant Position: Principal GIS & Enterprise Technology Architect Experience: 15 Years GC/USC/H1B only... more

    3 Days Ago

  • SKY Partners LLC | Los Angeles, CA

    Principal GIS&Enterprise Technology Architect Consultant

    SKY Partners LLC | Los Angeles, CA

    Principal GIS & Enterprise Technology Architect — Consultant Position: Principal GIS & Enterprise Technology Architect Experience: 15+ Years GC/USC/H1B onl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Vanir Construction Management | Los Angeles, CA

    BIM GIS Coordinator III

    Vanir Construction Management | Los Angeles, CA

    BIM/GIS Coordinator III - Utilities Coordinator - Virtual Design and Construction (VDC)Job LocationsUS-CA-Los AngelesJob ID2026-5147CategoryArchitecture / ... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Codvo.ai | California City, CA

    Codvo ai is GIS Web Developer

    Codvo.ai | California City, CA

    GIS Web Developer - Esri / React SpecialistLocation :RemoteAbout UsAt Codvo, we are committed to building scalable, future-ready data platforms that power ... more

    4 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst