19 Series · SOC 19-3092

Geographers Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$102,040
Median / year
$136,660
Top 10% earn
-3.1%
Growth '23–'33
1,400
US workers

Geographers earn a median of $102,040 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $102,040, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $66,770 (10th percentile) to $136,660 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 1,400 US workers. Maryland pays the most ($114,920), since pay varies by state and metro area.

19 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Geographers earn a median of $102,040, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 85% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Life, Physical, and Social Science, it ranks #13 of 48 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 3.1% by 2033.

$102,040
Median annual wage
Top 15%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#13 of 48
in Life, Physical, and Social Science
2.0×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Maryland at $114,920. Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Geographers (SOC 19-3092) pays a national median of $102,040 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $66,770 at the 10th percentile to $136,660 at the 90th, with a mean of $102,350 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 1,400 Americans work in this occupation across 7 reporting states and 3 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -3.1% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 100 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Bachelor's degree. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 1.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.7 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Maryland pays the highest state median at $114,920, which is +13% above the national figure. The top metro is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $118,290 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 1,400 jobs Median $102,040/yr

Median Salary

$102,040

per year

Median Hourly

$49.06/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$102,350

average

Employment

1,400

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Geographers pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$102,040 Top 15% higher than 85% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Below this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Below this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). This entry sits in this band. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 19-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Geographers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 19-series occupations with growth data, Geographers sits on the slower-growing side at -3.1% growth and $102,040 median pay.

Among 25 19-series occupations with growth data, Geographers sits on the slower-growing side at -3.1% growth and $102,040 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $0$50000$100000$150000$200000 -5%0%5%10%15% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 19-series occupations with growth data, Geographers sits on the slower-growing side at -3.1% growth and $102,040 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-3.1%

Declining

Annual Openings

100

per year (projected)

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

1.5/100K

Injury Rate

0.7/100

Danger Index

3.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Geographers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.1
Writing 4.1
Speaking 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Active Listening 3.8
Active Learning 3.6
Judgment and Decision Making 3.6
Complex Problem Solving 3.5
Science 3.4
Systems Analysis 3.4

Knowledge Areas

Geography 4.8
English Language 3.8
Computers and Electronics 3.8
Education and Training 3.5
Sociology and Anthropology 3.5
Mathematics 3.0
History and Archeology 2.9
Law and Government 2.9
Communications and Media 2.8
Biology 2.7

Key Tasks

  • ▸ 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.
  • ▸ Teach geography.
  • ▸ Write and present reports of research findings.
  • ▸ Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
  • ▸ 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.
  • ▸ Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.
  • ▸ Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
  • ▸ Collect data on physical characteristics of specified areas, such as geological formations, climates, and vegetation, using surveying or meteorological equipment.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$66,770$80,290$102,040$121,870$136,660
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$32.10$38.60$49.06$58.59$65.70
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$66,770

25th Percentile

$80,290

Median

$102,040

75th Percentile

$121,870

90th Percentile

$136,660

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Maryland $114,920 2. California $114,460 3. Washington $112,260 4. Virginia $108,020 5. Missouri $102,040

Lowest Paying States

3. Texas $79,170 4. Illinois $92,640 5. Missouri $102,040 6. Virginia $108,020 7. Washington $112,260
View all 7 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Maryland $114,920 +13% above national
2 California $114,460 +12% above national
3 Washington $112,260 +10% above national
4 Virginia $108,020 +6% above national
5 Missouri $102,040 same as national
6 Illinois $92,640 9% below national
7 Texas $79,170 22% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $118,290 2. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $104,770 3. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $76,000

Lowest Paying Metros

-1. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $76,000 0. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $104,770 1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $118,290
View all 3 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $118,290 +16% above national
2 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $104,770 +3% above national
3 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $76,000 26% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 19 (life physical and social science) with comparable pay and career paths.

Agricultural Technicians

SOC 19-4012

Animal Scientists

SOC 19-1011

Anthropologists and Archeologists

SOC 19-3091

Astronomers

SOC 19-2011

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

SOC 19-2021
Compare Geographers side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Geographers make? ▼
The median annual salary for Geographers is $102,040 ($49.06/hour). The salary range spans from $66,770 at the 10th percentile to $136,660 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Geographers the most? ▼
Maryland pays the highest median salary for Geographers at $114,920/year, which is +13% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Geographers? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Geographers is Bachelor's degree.
How dangerous is being a Geographers? ▼
Geographers has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 1.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.7 per 100 workers.
Is Geographers a good career? ▼
Employment for Geographers is projected to decline 3.1% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 100 openings are projected each year.
How does Geographers pay vary by state? ▼
Geographers salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Maryland at $114,920/year, while Washington pays the least at $112,260/year. BLS data covers 7 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Geographers? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Geographers is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $118,290/year. BLS reports wage data for 3 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Geographers pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $121,870/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Maryland leads at $114,920/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.