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The Cartography blog refers and discuss a CNNMoney article about a jobs survey. From the blog: "In my opinion, this is news as anyone who is one knows that being a cartographer is the best job around. However, CNNMoney has released the results of a survey of 166 jobs and found that, in terms of compensation, cartographers and photgrammatists rank 83rd, smack in the middle." What do you think? Is it hard to find a decent job? Are job conditions ok? Are you happy with the geospatial industry?

Very Spatial links to this US government-funded website aimed at the workforce of the geospatial industry named GIWIS. GeoPlace links to a Rocky Mountain article about it. From the article: "Among other things, the site is expected to provide: • Job postings. • Job descriptions and salary information. • Information about local companies involved in the business. • Geospatial courses offered at local colleges and community colleges."

All Points Blog links to an article about certified GIS professionals making more money than the not certified ones. From the article: " "I get calls from big organizations pursuing big GIS contracts," Colby said. "But when they get it, they'll need somebody to fill these tasks." Because of a shortage of GIS-trained workers, companies often turn to their computer programmers, draftsmen or other technicians and have them learn GIS, she said. "People with GIS certification average about $12,000 more in annual salary than non-GIS-trained people doing the same type of work," Colby said." See also previous related stories.

All Points Blog offers several entries on the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) 45th annual conference. Notes from the opening plenary, various tidbits, the geospatial body of knowledge, on data audit, three comments on themes and a census use study. From the themes entry: "Several conversations in the halls helped me confirm the URISA is redefining itself around policy and more management/leadership education. That focus may be part of the reason numbers are dropping off. [...] Government is conservative and thus so is URISA. The topics of the conference are not cutting edge [...]" Expect more on the conference over APB if you're interested. From the URISA main page: "The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) is a non-profit professional and educational association that promotes the effective and ethical use of spatial information and information technologies for the understanding and management of urban and regional systems. It is a multidisciplinary association where professionals from all parts of the spatial data community can come together and share concerns and ideas. Since 1963, URISA has been the professional home of choice for Public Sector GIS and IT Executives throughout the United States, Canada and other countries worldwide."

GeoChalkboard posts on the various GIS Salary surveys available on the web. Check out what you're worth...