Geographers: salary, outlook & degrees
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.
Middle half $80,290–$121,870. 1,400 jobs.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Census ACS 2020-2024 microdata, workers with at least a high school diploma; EducationGuide calculation
About 100 openings a year, including replacements.
BLS Employment Projections 2025-35
Considerable preparation (usually a bachelor's).
BLS; O*NET 31.0 job zone
Education workers say the job requires
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers (“required level of education”); small samples, so treat shares as approximate.
Pay by state and metro
| State | Median wage |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $114,920 |
| California | $114,460 |
| Washington | $112,260 |
| Virginia | $108,020 |
| Missouri | $102,040 |
| Illinois | $92,640 |
| Texas | $79,170 |
Largest metro areas for this job
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV$118,290
- Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos TX$76,000
- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MD$104,770
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: median annual wage, all workers in the job. Metro areas: the largest by employment.
What the work takes
Top skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
Knowledge used
- Geography
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Sociology and Anthropology
Work styles
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Attention to Detail
- Innovation
- Dependability
- Adaptability
People in this job tend to have Investigative (analytical), Realistic (hands-on) interests.
O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0): skills and knowledge by importance; work styles; interest high points.
Geographers: questions
How much do geographers make?
Geographers earn a U.S. median $102,040 a year; the middle half earn $80,290 to $121,870 (BLS, May 2025).
Is geographers a growing field?
BLS projects a decline of 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, with about 100 openings a year, including replacements.
What degree do you need to be a geographer?
BLS lists the typical entry education as bachelor's degree. In O*NET's survey, 95% of workers say a bachelor's or higher is required.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35); O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); U.S. Census Bureau ACS microdata. SOC 19-3092. Method
Data: JSON · Markdown · all careers
Cite this: “Geographers: salary, outlook and degrees,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/careers/geographers.