Checked
Geographers Salary
Geographers earn a median $102,040 a year in the U.S., with 1,400 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $102,040 a year
- Employment
- 1,400
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- -2.1%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 100
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $102,040 · $49.06 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $102,350 · $49.21 an hour (estimate error ±0.9%)
- 10th percentile
- $66,770 · $32.10 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $80,290 · $38.60 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $121,870 · $58.59 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $136,660 · $65.70 an hour
- Employment
- 1,400 (estimate error ±4.1%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
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.
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 1,500
- Projected for 2035
- 1,500
- Change
- Little or no change
- Openings each year
- 100
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Self-employed
- Not reported
Occupational Outlook Handbook (duties, how to become one, work environment)
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | State | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $114,920 | 210 |
| 2 | California | $114,460 | 80 |
| 3 | Washington | $112,260 | 40 |
| 4 | Virginia | $108,020 | 130 |
| 5 | Missouri | $102,040 | 40 |
| 6 | Illinois | $92,640 | 40 |
| 7 | Texas | $79,170 | 180 |
States with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| State | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 210 | $114,920 |
| Texas | 180 | $79,170 |
| Virginia | 130 | $108,020 |
| Colorado | 90 | Not reported |
| California | 80 | $114,460 |
| Illinois | 40 | $92,640 |
| Missouri | 40 | $102,040 |
| Washington | 40 | $112,260 |
Highest paying metro areas
Metro areas with at least 100 jobs in this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Metro area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $118,290 | 280 |
| 2 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $76,000 | 120 |
Metro areas with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 280 | $118,290 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 120 | $76,000 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 30 | $104,770 |
Visa filings for this occupation
Wages employers offered on Department of Labor filings
- H-1B (FY 2026 through Q3)55 certified filingsMedian offered wage $84,157
Geographers pay by state
Related occupations
Frequently asked questions
- How much do geographers make?
- The median wage for geographers in the U.S. is $102,040 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,290 and $121,870.
- Which state pays geographers the most?
- Maryland has the highest median wage for this occupation at $114,920 a year.
- What is the job outlook for geographers?
- BLS projects employment to decline 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, with about 100 openings each year on average.
- What education do geographers need?
- The typical entry-level education is: bachelor's degree.