# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographers
- SOC code: 19-3092.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $102,040 (10th percentile $66,770, 90th percentile $136,660)
- Projected growth: Decline, -2.1%
- Openings a year: 100
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 69 |
| Investigative (I) | 96 |
| Artistic (A) | 45 |
| Social (S) | 29 |
| Enterprising (E) | 18 |
| Conventional (C) | 45 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 90/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 89/100)
- Processing Information (importance 88/100)
- Getting Information (importance 86/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 81/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 80/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 75/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 74/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Active Listening, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Science, Systems Analysis

## Knowledge

Geography, English Language, Computers and Electronics, Education and Training, Sociology and Anthropology, Mathematics, History and Archeology, Law and Government, Communications and Media, Biology

## Also called

Biogeographer, Cultural Resources Specialist, Earth Observations Scientist, Economic Geographer, Geographer, Geomorphologist, GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator), GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer), GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist), Glaciologist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Geography and Cartography](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4507) (CIP 4507, 539 colleges)
- [Security Science and Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4304) (CIP 4304, 513 colleges)
- [Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5132) (CIP 5132, 352 colleges)
- [Geography and Environmental Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3044) (CIP 3044, 67 colleges)
- Environmental Geosciences (CIP 3041, 17 colleges)
- Climate Science (CIP 3035, 13 colleges)
- Earth Systems Science (CIP 3038, 9 colleges)
- Geography and Anthropology (CIP 4515, 1 college)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Champlain College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/champlain-college-508) | Security Science and Technology | $68,425 | $101,401 | $28,520 |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-prescott-909) | Security Science and Technology | $58,252 | $98,996 | $20,500 |
| [Florida State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/florida-state-university-main-campus-985) | Security Science and Technology | $60,178 | $93,841 | $15,125 |
| [Robert Morris University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/robert-morris-university-2246) | Security Science and Technology | $64,104 | $90,206 | $26,000 |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Geography and Cartography | $42,120 | $78,390 | $21,375 |
| [University of Connecticut UCONN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-connecticut-uconn-2902) | Geography and Cartography | not reported | $76,851 | $21,312 |
| [California State University-Sacramento](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-sacramento-375) | Geography and Cartography | $47,029 | $75,234 | not reported |
| [University of Nevada-Reno Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-nevada-reno-main-campus-2977) | Geography and Cartography | not reported | $74,864 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians): $116,580 median pay
- [Geography Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geography-teachers-postsecondary): $97,590 median pay
- [Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geoscientists-except-hydrologists-and-geographers): $101,920 median pay
- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Cartographers and Photogrammetrists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cartographers-and-photogrammetrists): $81,390 median pay
- [Anthropologists and Archeologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/anthropologists-and-archeologists): $70,770 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.