Geographers earn a median of $102,040 per year ($49.06/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 2.1% through 2035, with about 100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-3092
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Geographer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $102,040a year, or $49.06/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $67KTop 10% $137K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -2.1%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−2.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −2.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1001,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20251.5K
- Projected 20351.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 1.5K Projected 2035 1.5K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Associate's5%
- Bachelor's45%
- Master's20%
- Doctorate25%
- Post-doctoral training5%
Highest education held by geographers Segment Value Associate's 5% Bachelor's 45% Master's 20% Doctorate 25% Post-doctoral training 5%
Also advertised as: Earth Observations Scientist, Geographer, GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator), GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer), GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist), Scientist.
Pay
How much do Geographers make?
Every geographer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$102,040
Middle half earn $80,290 to $121,870
- 10th
- $66,770
- 25th
- $80,290
- 75th
- $121,870
- 90th
- $136,660
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $66,770 |
| 25th | $80,290 |
| Median | $102,040 |
| 75th | $121,870 |
| 90th | $136,660 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $102,040
- Median hourly wage
- $49.06/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $102,350
- People employed
- 1,400
Versus all US occupations
At $102,040, Geographers earn 100% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $51,060 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 24% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $136,660 or more while the bottom 10% earn $66,770, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 75% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Maryland posts the highest raw median ($114,920), but once local prices are taken into account Missouri leads at $112,358 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Geographers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Maryland | $114,920 | $109,490 | 210 |
| 2California | $114,460 | $103,378 | 80 |
| 3Washington | $112,260 | $104,903 | 40 |
| 4Virginia | $108,020 | $106,840 | 130 |
| 5Missouri | $102,040 | $112,358 | 40 |
| 6Illinois | $92,640 | $92,679 | 40 |
| 7Texas | $79,170 | $81,571 | 180 |
Job outlook
Is Geographer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -2.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Geographers | −2.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Geographers to change -2.1% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 0 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 100 openings are projected each year, 6.7% of the 1,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Governments and businesses will need geographers to research topics such as natural hazards and the use of resources. For example, geographers’ analyses on population distribution and land use are important for infrastructure planning and development by both governments and businesses.
However, demand for these workers is somewhat tied to the government funding that is allocated for these positions. Therefore, budgetary constraints may affect employment growth for geographers.
Getting in
How to become a Geographer
Geographers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Some jobs require a master’s or doctoral degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as geographers.
- Bachelor's Degree45%
- Doctoral Degree25%
- Master's Degree20%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
- Post-Doctoral Training5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 45% |
| Doctoral Degree | 25% |
| Master's Degree | 20% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Geographer do?
Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.
Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants. They research the interactions between the physical aspects of a region and the human activities within it.
Day-to-day tasks
- Teach geography.
- Create and modify maps, graphs, or diagrams, using geographical information software and related equipment, and principles of cartography, such as coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.
- Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
- Write and present reports of research findings.
- Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
- Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
- Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
- Conduct field work at outdoor sites.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most geographers work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where geographers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Federal government, excluding postal service64%
- Educational services; state, local, and private13%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals10%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 64% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 13% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 10% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Writing4.1
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Listening3.8
- Active Learning3.6
- Science3.4
- Learning Strategies3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.6 |
| Science | 3.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Complex Problem Solving3.5
- Systems Analysis3.4
- Instructing3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.5 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.4 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Geographer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Geographer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.7
- Realistic5.1
- Artistic3.7
- Conventional3.7
- Social2.7
- Enterprising2.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Geographer
O*NET related occupations
- Computer and Mathematical
Geographic Information Systems Technologist and Technician
$116,580median a year
Most earn $56K to $188K
+5.1%Bachelor's - Educational Instruction and Library
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Geoscientist, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$101,920median a year
Most earn $59K to $200K
+5.1%Bachelor's - Computer and Mathematical
- Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with geographers highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Geographer$102,040
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Geographer | $102,040 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Geographer appears on
Questions
Geographer: frequently asked questions
How much do Geographers make?
Geographers earn a median of $102,040 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 100% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $49.06/hr. The middle half earn between $80,290 and $121,870. The top 10% earn $136,660 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Geographer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Geographers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 45.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Geographer a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 2.1% over 2025–2035, a loss of 0 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Geographer do?
Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants. A core O*NET task: teach geography. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Geographers the most?
The highest state medians for Geographers are Maryland ($114,920), California ($114,460), Washington ($112,260) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Missouri moves to the top at $112,358.
What personality type suits a Geographer?
O*NET scores Geographers highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Artistic interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INTJ, INTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.