All About Geographers
Position Description 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.
A Day in the Life of a Geographer
- Teach geography.
- Gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
- 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.
- Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.
- Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region’s population.
- Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
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Geographer Required Skills
When polled, Geographers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Other Geographer Job Titles
- Economic Geographer
- Imagery Analyst
- Environmental Affairs Corporate Director
- Earth Observations Chief Scientist (NASA)
- Research Coordinator
Is There Job Demand for Geographers?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,500 jobs in the United States for Geographer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Geographer by 2026. There will be an estimated 200 positions for Geographer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Geographer are Oregon, Missouri, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Washington, or North Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Geographer
The average yearly salary of a Geographer ranges between $50,720 and $109,900.
Geographers who work in California, Georgia, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Geographers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $69,730 |
| California | $85,530 |
| Colorado | $84,380 |
| Georgia | $79,030 |
| Louisiana | $81,160 |
| Maryland | $84,990 |
| Minnesota | $67,820 |
| Missouri | $76,320 |
| Oregon | $78,630 |
| Texas | $65,000 |
| Washington | $83,530 |
What Tools & Technology do Geographers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Geographers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Minitab
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- ESRI ArcView
- Wolfram Research Mathematica
- Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
- ESRI ArcInfo
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Golden Software Surfer
Becoming a Geographer
Individuals working as a Geographer have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Geographer?
Where do Geographers Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Geographers employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Geographer might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Geographer in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Couleur via public domain (CC0)
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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