Average Salary for Geographers
SOC 19-3092 · Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Geographers in the United States is $97,200 ($46.73/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $62,390 at the 10th percentile to $133,680 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 1,380 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 27.2% since 2014.
Median Annual
$97,200
Mean Annual
$98,160
10th Pct
$62,390
75th Pct
$117,190
Employment
1,380
Salary Distribution
$62k
10th
$76k
25th
$97k
Median
$117k
75th
$134k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $117,960 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $109,550 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $88,280 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $71,780 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Washington | $110,340 |
| Maryland | $109,120 |
| Colorado | $106,350 |
| Missouri | $94,870 |
| Illinois | $91,270 |
| Arizona | $87,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,220 |
| Texas | $75,550 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Geographers broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $107,580 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $107,580 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $102,500 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $102,500 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $99,280 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $78,430 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $73,250 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $73,250 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $71,650 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $69,290 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $66,570 |
| Educational Services | $65,150 |
| Educational Services | $65,150 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $65,150 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $97,200 |
| 2023 | $90,880 |
| 2022 | $88,900 |
| 2021 | $85,220 |
| 2020 | $85,430 |
| 2019 | $81,540 |
| 2018 | $80,300 |
| 2017 | $76,860 |
| 2016 | $74,260 |
| 2015 | $74,260 |
| 2014 | $76,420 |