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Science

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$102,040

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$67k – $137k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $119,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Geographers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Plan my path to this →

Typical progression

  1. Geographers Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Geographers

    Entry / Junior

    $66,770

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Geographers

    Established

    $102,040

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Geographers

    Senior

    $119,350

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Science

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.