0261 MOS Geospatial Intelligence Specialist — Civilian Career Guide
Collects and analyzes terrain, geophysical, and imagery data to build geospatial intelligence products. Works in GIS software with remotely sensed imagery, survey instruments, and satellite positioning gear for mission planning.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$132,270.00
AVG SALARY
$109,865.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
GIS Developer
SOC 15-1252
$132,270.00
median/yr
Intelligence Analyst
SOC 33-3021
$98,770.00
median/yr
Geospatial Analyst
SOC 15-1299
$104,920.00
median/yr
Data Analyst
SOC 15-2051
$103,500.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Marine Corps COOL ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with 0261 service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Geospatial Intelligence Specialist role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Weapons, engines, and flightline noise are the #1 driver of ringing in the ears.
See how it is rated →Repeated noise exposure without perfect hearing protection is extremely common.
See how it is rated →Combat, trauma, or high-stress duty can cause lasting symptoms.
See how it is rated →High-tempo or high-stakes duty can cause lasting anxiety.
See how it is rated →Repetitive hand/keyboard or tool work compresses the wrist nerve.
See how it is rated →Shift work, deployments, and weight changes are linked to it.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Civilian careers 0261 feeds
Each links to every military code across all branches that leads to the same job, which is useful context when a posting asks for experience you have under a different name.
0261 equivalents in other branches
Ranked by how much civilian ground they share with 0261, not by title similarity. Handy for joint billets, spouse comparisons, or explaining your background to someone who served elsewhere.
Translate Your 0261 Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Geospatial Intelligence Specialist skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Marines veterans.
0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist do?
Collects and analyzes terrain, geophysical, and imagery data to build geospatial intelligence products. Works in GIS software with remotely sensed imagery, survey instruments, and satellite positioning gear for mission planning.
What civilian jobs can a 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist transition into?
Common civilian careers for a 0261 (Marines MOS) Geospatial Intelligence Specialist include GIS Developer, Intelligence Analyst, Geospatial Analyst, and Data Analyst. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist have median salaries ranging from about $98,770 to $132,270 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist resume include GISP (GIS Certification Institute), Esri ArcGIS Desktop Associate, USGIF Certified GEOINT Professional (CGP-F), and CompTIA Security+. Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist develops, including GIS analysis, Remote sensing and imagery interpretation, Cartography and map production, Spatial data management, and Survey and GPS data collection. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
More Marines Career Guides
0261 Jobs by State
Explore 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist career opportunities by state.