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Career overview · SOC 19-3092

Geographers

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.

Also called: Earth Observations Scientist · Geographer · GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator) · GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer) · GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist) · Scientist

Median pay (national)
$97,200
$62,390–$133,680 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
1,380
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-3.1%
~100 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for geographers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $133,680 versus $62,390 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $97,200 leaves roughly 38% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -3.1% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 8 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $110,340, +14% vs the national median), while Texas sits lowest at $75,550 — a 46% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Writing, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Autodesk AutoCAD, ESRI ArcGIS software, Geographic information system GIS software, Geographic information system GIS systems as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Active Learning
  • Science
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Monitoring

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.

Tools & technology

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Python
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • R
  • SAS
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • ACD Systems Canvas
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Caliper Maptitude
  • Clark Labs IDRISI Andes
  • Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite

Knowledge areas

  • Geography
  • English Language
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Education and Training
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Mathematics
  • History and Archeology
  • Law and Government