Geographers study the Earth's physical features, climates, and human populations to better understand the relationships between people and their environments.
This article will explore the best states for geographers, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. District of Columbia ($120,530)
- 2. Virginia ($100,860)
- 3. Maryland ($98,700)
- 4. Massachusetts ($95,270)
- 5. California ($93,710)
- 6. Pennsylvania ($89,670)
- 7. Louisiana ($89,330)
- 8. Colorado ($89,000)
- 9. Washington ($87,800)
- 10. Missouri ($86,670)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid geographers are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $120,530 per year.
- The lowest-paid geographers are in Georgia, where they earn an average of $67,960 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for geographers is $88,127 per year.
1. District of Columbia ($120,530)
Geographers in District of Columbia earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in District of Columbia is
$120,530, which is +37% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $120,530 |
| 10th Percentile | $92,810 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,860 |
2. Virginia ($100,860)
Geographers in Virginia earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in Virginia is
$100,860, which is +14% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $100,860 |
| 10th Percentile | $60,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,440 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,580 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,860 |
3. Maryland ($98,700)
Geographers in Maryland earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in Maryland is
$98,700, which is +12% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $98,700 |
| 10th Percentile | $65,840 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,610 |
4. Massachusetts ($95,270)
Geographers in Massachusetts earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in Massachusetts is
$95,270, which is +8% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $95,270 |
| 10th Percentile | $61,460 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,150 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,530 |
5. California ($93,710)
Geographers in California earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in California is
$93,710, which is +6% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $93,710 |
| 10th Percentile | $67,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,670 |
| 75th Percentile | $109,490 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,940 |
6. Pennsylvania ($89,670)
Geographers in Pennsylvania earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in Pennsylvania is
$89,670, which is +2% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $89,670 |
| 10th Percentile | $53,310 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,970 |
7. Louisiana ($89,330)
Geographers in Louisiana earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in Louisiana is
$89,330, which is +1% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $89,330 |
| 10th Percentile | $51,570 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,090 |
| 90th Percentile | $113,240 |
8. Colorado ($89,000)
Geographers in Colorado earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in Colorado is
$89,000, which is +1% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $89,000 |
| 10th Percentile | $60,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,070 |
| 90th Percentile | $117,890 |
9. Washington ($87,800)
Geographers in Washington earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in Washington is
$87,800, which is -0% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $87,800 |
| 10th Percentile | $53,910 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,910 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,530 |
10. Missouri ($86,670)
Geographers in Missouri earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
geographers in Missouri is
$86,670, which is --2% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $86,670 |
| 10th Percentile | $58,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,100 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid geographers are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $120,530 per year. The lowest-paid geographers are in Georgia, where they earn an average of $67,960 per year. The U.S. average salary for geographers is $88,127 per year and there are 1,110 jobs in the field.
