Geographer salary in the U.S.
Geographers in the U.S. earn a median of $102,040 a year ($49.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,660 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $102,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for geographers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| 25th percentile | $80,290 | $38.60 |
| Median | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| 75th percentile | $121,870 | $58.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,660 | $65.70 |
| Average (mean) | $102,350 | $49.21 |
Half of geographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,503.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,251.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,924.62 |
| Weekly | $1,962.31 |
| Hourly | $49.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Geographer salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $114,920 | 210 |
| California | $114,460 | 80 |
| Washington | $112,260 | 40 |
| Virginia | $108,020 | 130 |
| Missouri | $102,040 | 40 |
| Illinois | $92,640 | 40 |
| Texas | $79,170 | 180 |
Best-paying metro areas for geographers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $118,290 | 280 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $104,770 | 30 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $76,000 | 120 |
Metro areas with the most geographers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 280 | $118,290 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 120 | $76,000 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 30 | $104,770 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $100,580 | $48.36 |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $89,320 | $42.94 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 | $48.61 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,840 | $53.29 |
| Economist | $124,720 | $59.96 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $70,770 | $34.02 |
| Survey Researcher | $69,460 | $33.40 |
| Political Scientist | $142,080 | $68.31 |
| Historian | $76,750 | $36.90 |
| Sociologist | $106,030 | $50.98 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 | $93.24 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,150 | $43.34 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geographer make in the U.S.?
The median salary for geographers in the U.S. is $102,040 a year, or $49.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid geographers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of geographers in the U.S. earn at least $136,660 a year. The top 25% earn $121,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for geographers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,770 a year, and a quarter of geographers earn $80,290 or less.
How many geographers work in the U.S.?
About 1,400 geographers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.