{"data_version":"1.0","generated_from":"2026-10-11","license":"Free to reuse with attribution: cite \"EducationGuide.com\" with a link to the page URL. Most figures are U.S. government data (public domain); loan default rates and athletics come from the Urban Institute Education Data Portal (ODC-By 1.0, attribution required) and founding years from Wikidata (CC0). O*NET data: CC BY 4.0, O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA).","url":"https://educationguide.com/careers/geographers","ids":{"soc_2018":"19-3092","slug":"geographers"},"soc":"19-3092","slug":"geographers","title":"Geographers","description":"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.","wage":{"median":102040,"p10":66770,"p25":80290,"p75":121870,"p90":136660,"mean":102350,"jobs":1400,"year":"May 2025"},"states":{"CA":114460,"IL":92640,"MD":114920,"MO":102040,"TX":79170,"VA":108020,"WA":112260},"metros":[{"name":"Washington-Arlington-Alexandria","states":"DC-VA-MD-WV","wage":118290,"jobs":280},{"name":"Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos","states":"TX","wage":76000,"jobs":120},{"name":"Baltimore-Columbia-Towson","states":"MD","wage":104770,"jobs":30}],"outlook":{"jobs2025":1.5,"jobs2035":1.5,"growth":-2.1,"openings_k":0.1,"entry":"Bachelor's degree","experience":"None","training":"None"},"jobZone":4,"education":{"hs_or_less":0,"some_college_or_associate":0.05,"bachelors":0.45,"graduate":0.5},"interests":{"scores":{"R":5.11,"I":6.74,"A":3.69,"S":2.72,"E":2.1,"C":3.69},"code":"IR"},"skills":["Reading Comprehension","Writing","Speaking","Critical Thinking","Active Listening"],"knowledge":["Geography","English Language","Computers and Electronics","Education and Training","Sociology and Anthropology"],"workStyles":["Intellectual Curiosity","Attention to Detail","Innovation","Dependability","Adaptability"],"young":null,"fields":[],"sources":{"wage":"BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 (U.S., states, metro areas)","outlook":"BLS Employment Projections 2025-35","onet":"O*NET 31.0: description, job zone, required education (worker survey), interests, skills, knowledge, work styles","young":"Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year microdata: employed ages 25-34 with at least a high school diploma; share with a bachelor's+, median earnings (not enrolled, earnings > 0), fields of bachelor's degree (EducationGuide calculation)"},"methodology":"https://educationguide.com/how-we-score#careers"}