Geographers

Earnings and other benefits depend on the amount of training, the nature of the employment situation, and the personal interests and attributes of the individual employee. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), median annual earnings for geographers were $90,880 in May 2023. Salaries ranged from less than $59,850 annually to more than $126,940. The mean annual salary for geographers employed by the federal government was $102,090.

There are positions with community colleges for geographers with master's degrees, while four-year colleges and universities generally require a doctorate. College and university geography teachers earned mean annual salaries of $71,050 in May 2023, according to the DOL. In addition to salaried income, experienced geographers often earn supplemental incomes through consulting, research, and writing activities. Ph.D.'s in industry frequently earn more than those in academia.

Benefits for full-time workers include vacation and sick time, health, and sometimes dental, insurance, and pension or 401(k) plans. Self-employed geographers must provide their own benefits.