Life As a Geographer
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.
Life As a Geographer: What Do They Do?
- Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region’s population.
- Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
- Conduct field work at outdoor sites.
- Write and present reports of research findings.
- Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.
- Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Geographer?
When polled, Geographers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Types of Geographer
- Geographic Information Systems Program Director (GIS Program Director)
- Geographic Information Systems Analyst (GIS Analyst)
- Geographer
- Imagery Analyst
- Supervisory Geographer
Job Outlook for Geographers
There were about 1,500 jobs for Geographer in 2016 (in the United States). 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. The BLS estimates 200 yearly job openings in this field.
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 typical yearly salary for Geographers is somewhere 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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Geographers may use on a daily basis:
- 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
What kind of Geographer requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Geographers Work?
Geographers work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Geographer might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Geographer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Couleur via public domain (CC0)
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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