How much does a Geographers make?

The median annual wage for Geographers is $102,040 ($49 per hour). Pay ranges from about $66,770 at the 10th percentile to $136,660 at the 90th percentile.

What is the average salary for a Geographers?

The average (mean) annual salary is $102,350, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Which state pays Geographerss the most?

Maryland has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $114,920.

Is Geographers a growing occupation?

BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 1.4K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.

What does a Geographers do?

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..

Geographers Salary

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 1.4K employed in the U.S.

Median annual

$102,040

Median hourly

$49

Average annual

$102,350

Typical range

$66,770–$136,660

Pay distribution

10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.

10th$66,770

25th$80,290

Median$102,040

75th$121,870

90th$136,660

What this role pays

The median annual salary for Geographers is $102,040 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $49 an hour at a full-time schedule.

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..

Most earn between $66,770 and $136,660 a year. There are roughly 1.4K people employed as geographers in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.

Salary calculator

Convert your pay and see where it lands for Geographers.

Pay amountPay period

Hours / weekWeeks / year

Hourly: $49.06
Daily: $392
Weekly: $1,962
Bi-weekly: $3,925
Monthly: $8,503
Annual: $102,040

$102,040 a year is around the 50th percentile for Geographerss. The median is $102,040.

Geographers — U.S., May 2025
Percentile	Hourly	Annual
10th percentile	$32.10	$66,770
25th percentile	$38.60	$80,290
Median	$49.10	$102,040
75th percentile	$58.60	$121,870
90th percentile	$65.70	$136,660
Average (mean)	$49.20	$102,350
Employment	1,400 people

Key skills

Reading Comprehension
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Active Learning
Judgment and Decision Making
Complex Problem Solving
Science
Systems Analysis

Highest-paying states

Median annual wage by state.

1Maryland$114,920
2California$114,460
3Washington$112,260
4Virginia$108,020
5Missouri$102,040
6Illinois$92,640
7Texas$79,170

Top-paying metro areas

Median annual wage by metro area.

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

Related job titles

Employers advertise Geographers roles under these titles.

Related occupations

What a Geographers does

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.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Geographers make?: The median annual wage for Geographers is $102,040 ($49 per hour). Pay ranges from about $66,770 at the 10th percentile to $136,660 at the 90th percentile.
What is the average salary for a Geographers?: The average (mean) annual salary is $102,350, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Which state pays Geographerss the most?: Maryland has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $114,920.
Is Geographers a growing occupation?: BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 1.4K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
What does a Geographers do?: 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..