Geographer salary in Washington
Geographers in Washington earn a median of $112,260 a year ($53.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,990 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $102,040. Washington ranks 3rd of 7 states for geographers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 geographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $113,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for geographers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| 25th percentile | $89,270 | $42.92 |
| Median | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| 75th percentile | $124,130 | $59.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,990 | $71.15 |
| Average (mean) | $113,420 | $54.53 |
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 | $9,355 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,677.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,317.69 |
| Weekly | $2,158.85 |
| Hourly | $53.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for geographers
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $100,990 | $48.56 |
| School Psychologist | $108,780 | $52.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,240 | $55.40 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Economist | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $128,230 | $61.65 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $74,790 | $35.96 |
| Sociologist | $97,170 | $46.72 |
| Survey Researcher | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Political Scientist | $147,060 | $70.70 |
| Historian | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for geographers in Washington is $112,260 a year, or $53.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid geographers make in Washington?
The top 10% of geographers in Washington earn at least $147,990 a year. The top 25% earn $124,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for geographers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,490 a year, and a quarter of geographers earn $89,270 or less.
How many geographers work in Washington?
About 40 geographers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.