Geographers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for geographers is $102,040, or $49.06 per hour. About 1,400 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $114,920 in Maryland to $79,170 in Texas.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 7 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $114,920 | $55.25 | 210 | 8.35 |
| 2 | California | $114,460 | $55.03 | 80 | 0.48 |
| 3 | Washington | $112,260 | $53.97 | 40 | 1.17 |
| 4 | Virginia | $108,020 | $51.93 | 130 | 3.63 |
| 5 | Missouri | $102,040 | $49.06 | 40 | 1.40 |
| 6 | Illinois | $92,640 | $44.54 | 40 | 0.80 |
| 7 | Texas | $79,170 | $38.06 | 180 | 1.39 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do geographers make?
The median annual wage for geographers in the United States is $102,040, or $49.06 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $66,770, and the top 10% earn $136,660.
How many geographers are employed in the U.S.?
About 1,400 people work as geographers nationwide.
Which state pays geographers the most?
Maryland pays the most at a median of $114,920, followed by California ($114,460) and Washington ($112,260).
Which state pays geographers the least?
Texas has the lowest median at $79,170.
Where are geographers jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is Maryland at 8.35×.