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.
Geographers
SOC: 19-3092 O*NET: 19-3092.00
Median Salary
$97,200
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Geographers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$62,390
10th percentile
Early Career
$75,590
25th percentile
Median
$97,200
50th percentile
Experienced
$117,190
75th percentile
Top Earners
$133,680
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$62,390
25th
$75,590
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$97,200
Mean: $98,160
75th
$117,190
90th
$133,680
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $71,290 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $75,590 and $117,190
- •Salary spread is 42.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,380 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,500
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services5.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services5.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.1%
Annual Openings:100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,500
Current
2034 (Projected)1,500
-3.1%
0
Employment Change
-3.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Geographers professionals work across the United States
Showing 8 of 8 locations
Maryland
260 jobs$109,12010.46x
Texas
170 jobs$75,5501.39x
Colorado
90 jobs$106,3503.53x
Illinois
50 jobs$91,2700.85x
Missouri
40 jobs$94,8701.46x
Arizona
40 jobs$87,0501.36x
Pennsylvania
40 jobs$85,2200.74x
Washington
30 jobs$110,3401.01x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Writing
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Systems Analysis
46%
#10
Science
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Writing
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Writing
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Systems Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Science
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Industrial Ecologists100%
5 shared skills
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists100%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Biochemists and Biophysicists82%
5 shared skills
Molecular and Cellular Biologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Active Learning
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Geographers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechPython
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Structured query language SQL
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
Adobe Photoshop
Python
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
12
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Communication & Coordination (1)General Responsibilities (7)Planning & Development (2)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Training & Development (1)
1
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination100% perform100%
2
Write and present reports of research findings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation88% perform92%
6
Teach geography.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Conduct field work at outdoor sites.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on communication & coordination activities
- •58% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Geographers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Geographers professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value independence
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Geographers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.40
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.35
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.16
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.11
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.10
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.10
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Persistence
4.1
Dependability
4.1
Integrity
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Independence
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Geographers.
Browse Training Programs →