Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Geographers study places, environments, and spatial relationships, using a mix of analytical thinking, scientific approaches, and technology. This is a relatively small profession, with national employment of about 2,000 people. The national median annual salary of $97,200 indicates that many roles in this field can offer strong financial rewards. However, the projected employment growth of -3.1% and zero estimated annual openings point to a limited and competitive job market overall. As a result, geographic flexibility and a strong skill set are likely important for success. States such as California, Washington, Virginia, Maryland, and Texas, along with metro areas like Washington–Arlington–Alexandria and Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, stand out for their combination of salary and opportunity scores. For students and professionals who enjoy writing and reading, critical and analytical thinking, science, and working with computers and information technology, this career can offer an intellectually demanding path, but with constrained overall growth prospects.
Geographers earn a national median annual salary of $97,200, indicating solid earning potential across the occupation. Pay varies by location, with several states and metros offering higher median wages. Among the top states by opportunity score, Maryland reports a median salary of $114,920 and California $114,460, while Washington and Virginia also offer six-figure medians at $112,260 and $108,020, respectively. Texas shows a lower median salary of $79,170 but still appears among the top states by opportunity score. At the metro level, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria provides a median salary of $118,290, the highest among listed areas, while Baltimore–Columbia–Towson offers $104,770. Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos reports a median salary of $76,000. These differences highlight how selecting certain states or metros can significantly influence earnings, with some regions offering notably higher median pay than the national median and others below it.
National employment for geographers stands at about 2,000, reflecting a relatively small field. The projected employment growth rate of -3.1% signals a decline in overall job numbers over the projection period. In addition, the estimate of zero annual openings points to very limited turnover or expansion opportunities at the national level. This combination suggests that competition for available positions may be intense and that job seekers may need to be especially strategic in targeting locations and roles. Despite the negative growth rate nationally, the same -3.1% growth figure appears in the top states and metro areas, indicating that the projected contraction is broadly consistent across regions. For individuals considering this career, the outlook implies that opportunities may be constrained and that focusing on regions with higher opportunity scores and stronger salary levels could be an important part of planning a job search or long-term career path.
Location plays a central role in the career landscape for geographers. Among states, California leads the list by opportunity score (67.38), with a median salary of $114,460 and employment of 80. Washington and Virginia also rank highly, with opportunity scores of 56.29 and 54.96 and median salaries of $112,260 and $108,020, respectively, but with relatively small employment counts of 40 in Washington and 130 in Virginia. Maryland combines a high median salary of $114,920 with employment of 210 and an opportunity score of 52.88. Texas stands out for having 180 employed geographers and an opportunity score of 51.57, though with a lower median salary of $79,170. At the metro level, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria offers both the highest listed median salary at $118,290 and the highest metro opportunity score at 64.47, with 280 employed. Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos shows a lower salary of $76,000 but a competitive opportunity score of 52.42, while Baltimore–Columbia–Towson sits in between on both pay and scale.
The typical education requirement for geographers is a bachelor’s degree, making this a profession that generally expects at least four years of college-level study. Success in this field draws on a broad skill set. Strong writing and reading abilities support clear communication and interpretation of complex information. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, underpins the evaluation of geographic data and patterns. Science and mathematics skills form part of the technical foundation of the work, while proficiency with computers and information technology is important for handling data and digital tools. Speaking and listening abilities help in explaining findings and collaborating with others. Creativity and innovation, combined with adaptability, support working in varied contexts and approaching problems from multiple angles. Project management skills help geographers organize tasks and timelines. Together, these skills complement the bachelor’s degree requirement and shape the overall professional profile for this career.
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