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
$97,200
Typical range
$62k – $134k
Job outlook
See national outlook
AI exposure
Plan a path to Geographers
Education
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Geographers Intern
Internship
$36,000
~4 mos to advance
Junior Geographers
Entry / Junior
$62,390
~2 yrs to advance
Geographers
Established
$97,200
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Geographers
Senior
$115,440
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
Explore all- Massachusetts Institute of Technology4% admit · $124,000 grad pay
- California Institute of Technology3% admit · $112,000 grad pay
- Harvard University4% admit · $119,000 grad pay
- Stanford University4% admit · $122,000 grad pay
- University of California, Berkeley11% admit · $97,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.