### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Geographers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			geographers imageGeographers use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) equipment to create maps.							
						Quick Facts:     Geographers2023     Median Pay
            						$90,880     per year
										$43.69     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    1,500Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    0What Geographers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most geographers work full time. Geographers who do fieldwork may travel to foreign countries or remote locations.
            
                                                How to Become a Geographer
                                                
                        
Geographers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Some jobs require a master’s or doctoral degree.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for geographers was $90,880 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of geographers is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 100 openings for geographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for geographers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of geographers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about geographers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Geographers Do 
            

			GeographersGeographers use maps and global positioning systems in their work.			
Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants. They research the interactions between the physical aspects of a region and the human activities within it.
Duties
Geographers typically do the following:
Gather geographic data through field observations, maps, photographs, satellite imagery, and censuses
Conduct research via surveys, interviews, and focus groups
Create and modify maps or other visual representations of geographic data
Analyze the geographic distribution of physical and cultural characteristics and occurrences
Collect, analyze, and display geographic data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Write reports and present research findings
Assist, advise, or lead others in using GIS and geographic data
Link geographic data with economic, health, or other dataGeographers use several technologies in their work, such as GIS, remote sensing, and global positioning systems (GPS), to find relationships and trends in geographic data. They then present the data visually as maps, reports, and charts. For example, geographers may overlay aerial or satellite images with GIS data, such as population density in a given region, and create digital maps. They then use the maps to inform governments, businesses, and the public on a variety of topics, including urban planning and disaster response.
The following are examples of types of geographers:
***Physical geographers*** study features of the natural environment, such as landforms, climate, soils, natural hazards, water, and plants. For example, physical geographers may map where a natural resource occurs in a country or study the implications of proposed economic development on the surrounding natural environment.
***Human geographers*** often combine other disciplines with their research, which may include economic, environmental, medical, cultural, social, or political topics. Some human geographers rely primarily on quantitative research methods; others rely more heavily on qualitative methods, such as field observations and interviews.
Geographers often work on projects with people in related fields. For example, geographers may work with urban planners, civil engineers, legislators, or real estate agents to determine the best location for new public transportation infrastructure.
People who study geography and who use GIS in their work also may be employed as surveyors, cartographers and photogrammetrists, surveying and mapping technicians, urban and regional planners, geoscientists, or hydrologists. People who earn a Ph.D. in geography may become postsecondary teachers.
 Work Environment
			GeographersSome geographers travel to do fieldwork.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Geographers held about 1,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of geographers were as follows:
        Federal government, excluding postal service
                65%Educational services; state, local, and private
                11State government, excluding education and hospitals
                9Professional, scientific, and technical services
                6Geographers who do fieldwork may travel to foreign countries or remote locations to gather data and observe geographic features, such as the landscape and environment.
Work Schedules
Most geographers work full time.
 How to Become a Geographer

			GeographersGeographers may perform fieldwork as part of their education.			
Geographers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Some jobs require a master’s or doctoral degree.
Education
High school students interested in becoming geographers should take classes in physical sciences, computer programming, and geography.
Geographers with a bachelor’s degree may qualify for entry-level jobs and for positions with the federal government. Geographers working outside of the federal government may need a master’s degree in geography or in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Some employers allow candidates to substitute work experience or GIS proficiency for an advanced degree. Research positions may require a Ph.D. or a master’s degree and several years of relevant experience.
Geography programs may include courses in physical and human geography, statistics or math, remote sensing, and GIS. Because geography is an interdisciplinary field, courses in a variety of areas, such as business, economics, or real estate, may be helpful.
College students may benefit from participating in internships that put geography principles into practice.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Although not required, certification may indicate professional expertise. For example, the GIS Certification Institute and the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing both offer certification in GIS. Candidates may qualify for certification by passing an exam and meeting other requirements, such as for education or experience.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Geographers study data and information from a variety of sources and must be able to draw conclusions about their usefulness and meaning.
***Computer skills.*** Geographers must be proficient in GIS programming, database management, and data visualization techniques and should be comfortable creating and manipulating digital images with GIS software.
***Communication skills.*** Geographers often need to write reports and funding proposals. They also present their research and findings to their peers and nontechnical audiences and must be able to convey the meaning of data in understandable ways.
***Critical-thinking skills.*** Geographers must be able to choose the appropriate data, methods, and scale of analysis for projects.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                GeographersMedian annual wages, May 2023Geographers$90,880  Social scientists and related workers$89,440  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for geographers was $90,880 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,850, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $126,940.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for geographers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Federal government, excluding postal service
                $102,690Professional, scientific, and technical services
                71,510State government, excluding education and hospitals
                64,290Educational services; state, local, and private
                64,220Most geographers work full time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                GeographersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Social scientists and related workers5%  Total, all occupations3%  Geographers1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of geographers is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 100 openings for geographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Budget constraints are expected to reduce employment for geographers in federal government. However, governments and businesses will still need geographers to research topics such as natural hazards and the use of resources. For example, geographers’ analyses on population distribution and land use are important for infrastructure planning and development by both governments and businesses.
			

                        Employment projections data for     geographers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Geographers**
			19-3092
			1,500
			1,500
			1
			0
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Geographers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of geographers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Anthropologists and Archeologists**
            Anthropologists and archeologists study the origin, development, and behavior of humans.
            Master's degree
            $63,800**Cartographers and Photogrammetrists**
            Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information to create and update maps and related products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $76,210**Economists**
            Economists conduct research, prepare reports, and evaluate issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. They also may collect and analyze statistical data.
            Master's degree
            $115,730**Geoscientists**
            Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth.
            Bachelor's degree
            $92,580**Market Research Analysts**
            Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service.
            Bachelor's degree
            $74,680**Political Scientists**
            Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
            Master's degree
            $132,350**Postsecondary Teachers**
            Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.
            See How to Become One
            $84,380**Surveying and Mapping Technicians**
            Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth's surface.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,940**Surveyors**
            Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries.
            Bachelor's degree
            $68,540**Urban and Regional Planners**
            Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.
            Master's degree
            $81,800
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about geographers, visit
Association of American Geographers
For more information about geographic information systems (GIS) certification, visit
American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
GIS Certification Institute
To find vacancies for geographer positions in the federal government, visit
USAJobs

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Geographers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Geographers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geographers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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