Geographers Salary

Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD

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Avg Median Salary

$87,033

Highest Paying City

San Jose

$123,000

Cities Tracked

60

What Do Geographers Do?

Geographers investigate and analyze data to advance scientific knowledge and develop practical applications. Their work spans laboratories, field sites, and research institutions, contributing to breakthroughs that benefit society.

Work settings include research laboratories, field locations, offices, and academic institutions. Hours can be irregular, especially when conducting experiments or fieldwork.

Key Skills for Geographers

Research MethodsData AnalysisStatistical SoftwareScientific WritingLaboratory TechniquesCritical Thinking

Education Requirements

Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Many research positions require a master's or doctoral degree. Some entry-level technician roles may accept a bachelor's degree. Postdoctoral research experience is common for academic and senior research positions.

Career Outlook

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average, with increasing demand for research in areas like environmental science, healthcare, and data analysis.

How to Increase Your Geographers Salary

  • 1.Develop strong statistical analysis and programming skills (R, Python, SAS)
  • 2.Pursue postdoctoral research opportunities for academic career advancement
  • 3.Apply for research grants from government agencies and private foundations
  • 4.Build a professional network through conferences and professional associations
  • 5.Develop expertise in interdisciplinary research methods

Geographers Salary by City

CityMedianAverageRange (10th-90th)Currency
San Jose, CA
$123,000
$131,000$68,000 - $165,000USDApply
San Francisco, CA
$120,000
$123,000$66,000 - $160,000USDApply
Seattle, WA
$111,000
$124,000$61,000 - $148,000USDApply
New York, NY
$109,000
$117,000$60,000 - $146,000USDApply
Boston, MA
$109,000
$111,000$60,000 - $146,000USDApply
Washington DC, DC
$104,000
$110,000$57,000 - $139,000USDApply
Los Angeles, CA
$102,000
$105,000$56,000 - $136,000USDApply
Honolulu, HI
$101,000
$112,000$56,000 - $135,000USDApply
San Diego, CA
$99,000
$110,000$59,000 - $129,000USDApply
Denver, CO
$99,000
$110,000$59,000 - $129,000USDApply
Austin, TX
$97,000
$103,000$58,000 - $126,000USDApply
Anchorage, AK
$97,000
$107,000$58,000 - $126,000USDApply
Portland, OR
$96,000
$104,000$58,000 - $125,000USDApply
Philadelphia, PA
$95,000
$102,000$57,000 - $124,000USDApply
Sacramento, CA
$94,000
$104,000$56,000 - $122,000USDApply
Minneapolis, MN
$93,000
$104,000$56,000 - $121,000USDApply
Baltimore, MD
$93,000
$104,000$56,000 - $121,000USDApply
Hartford, CT
$92,000
$101,000$55,000 - $120,000USDApply
Chicago, IL
$89,000
$97,000$53,000 - $116,000USDApply
Dallas, TX
$89,000
$95,000$53,000 - $116,000USDApply
Salt Lake City, UT
$89,000
$99,000$53,000 - $116,000USDApply
Houston, TX
$87,000
$97,000$52,000 - $113,000USDApply
Atlanta, GA
$87,000
$89,000$52,000 - $113,000USDApply
Raleigh, NC
$87,000
$96,000$52,000 - $113,000USDApply
Kansas City, MO
$87,000
$96,000$52,000 - $113,000USDApply
Columbus, OH
$86,000
$95,000$52,000 - $112,000USDApply
Richmond, VA
$86,000
$89,000$52,000 - $112,000USDApply
Detroit, MI
$85,000
$90,000$51,000 - $110,000USDApply
Nashville, TN
$85,000
$91,000$51,000 - $110,000USDApply
Las Vegas, NV
$85,000
$94,000$51,000 - $110,000USDApply
Milwaukee, WI
$85,000
$90,000$51,000 - $110,000USDApply
Phoenix, AZ
$84,000
$93,000$50,000 - $109,000USDApply
Charlotte, NC
$84,000
$87,000$50,000 - $109,000USDApply
Pittsburgh, PA
$84,000
$87,000$50,000 - $109,000USDApply
St. Louis, MO
$84,000
$92,000$50,000 - $109,000USDApply
Buffalo, NY
$83,000
$91,000$50,000 - $108,000USDApply
Jacksonville, FL
$82,000
$87,000$49,000 - $107,000USDApply
New Orleans, LA
$82,000
$91,000$49,000 - $107,000USDApply
Miami, FL
$81,000
$90,000$49,000 - $105,000USDApply
Orlando, FL
$81,000
$87,000$49,000 - $105,000USDApply
Indianapolis, IN
$81,000
$89,000$49,000 - $105,000USDApply
Cleveland, OH
$81,000
$85,000$49,000 - $105,000USDApply
Cincinnati, OH
$81,000
$89,000$49,000 - $105,000USDApply
Oklahoma City, OK
$81,000
$86,000$49,000 - $105,000USDApply
Memphis, TN
$81,000
$87,000$49,000 - $105,000USDApply
Louisville, KY
$81,000
$83,000$49,000 - $105,000USDApply
Vancouver, BC
$81,000
$85,000$49,000 - $105,000CADApply
Toronto, ON
$80,000
$82,000$48,000 - $104,000CADApply
Tampa, FL
$79,000
$86,000$47,000 - $103,000USDApply
San Antonio, TX
$79,000
$87,000$47,000 - $103,000USDApply
Calgary, AB
$78,000
$80,000$47,000 - $101,000CADApply
Birmingham, AL
$77,000
$79,000$46,000 - $100,000USDApply
Tucson, AZ
$77,000
$85,000$46,000 - $100,000USDApply
Ottawa, ON
$75,000
$80,000$45,000 - $98,000CADApply
Edmonton, AB
$72,000
$76,000$43,000 - $94,000CADApply
Montreal, QC
$70,000
$75,000$46,000 - $88,000CADApply
Hamilton, ON
$68,000
$76,000$44,000 - $86,000CADApply
Halifax, NS
$66,000
$74,000$43,000 - $83,000CADApply
Winnipeg, MB
$65,000
$69,000$42,000 - $82,000CADApply
Quebec City, QC
$63,000
$67,000$41,000 - $80,000CADApply