Geographers

Summary

Geographers study the earth and its land, features, and inhabitants.

Quick Facts: Geographers
2010 Median Pay	$72,800 per year $35.00 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	1,600
Job Outlook, 2010-20	35% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	600

What Geographers Do

Geographers study the earth and its land, features, and inhabitants. They also examine phenomena such as political or cultural structures as they relate to geography. They study the physical or human geographic characteristics or both of a region, ranging in scale from local to global.

Work Environment

Most geographers work for the federal government. Many geographers work full time during regular business hours. Some do fieldwork, which may include travel to foreign countries or remote locations.

How to Become a Geographer

Those with a bachelor’s degree may qualify for some entry-level jobs, but these often require previous geography experience or training in geographic information systems (GIS).  Geographers need at least a master’s degree for most positions outside of the federal government.

Pay

The median annual wage of geographers was $72,800 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of geographers is expected to grow 35 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will be fastest in the professional, scientific, and technical services industry.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of geographers with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about geographers by contacting these additional resources.

What Geographers Do About this section

Some people with a geography degree become teachers or professors.

Geographers study the earth and its land, features, and inhabitants. They also examine phenomena such as political or cultural structures as they relate to geography. They study the physical or human geographic characteristics or both of a region, ranging in scale from local to global. 

Duties

Geographers typically do the following:

• Gather geographic data through field observations, maps, photographs, satellite imagery, and censuses
• Use surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative methods in their research
• Use quantitative methods, such as statistical analysis, in their research
• Create and modify maps, graphs, diagrams, or other visual representations of geographic data
• Analyze the geographic distribution of physical and cultural characteristics and occurrences
• Use geographic information system (GIS) technology to collect, analyze, and display data
• Write reports and present research findings
• Assist, advise, or lead others in using GIS and geographic data
• Combine geographic data with data about a particular specialty, such as economics, the environment, health, or politics

Geographers use several technologies in their work, such as GIS, remote sensing, and global positioning systems (GPS). Geographers use GIS to find relationships and trends in geographic data. GIS allows them to present data visually as maps, reports, and charts. For example, a geographer can overlay aerial or satellite images with GIS data, such as population density in a given region, and create computerized maps. They then use the results to advise governments, businesses, and the general public on a variety of issues, such as marketing strategies; planning homes, roads, and landfills; or disaster responses. 

In addition, many people who study geography and who work with GIS technology work in other occupations. For more information on these related occupations, see the profiles on surveyors, cartographers and photogrammetrists, surveying and mapping technicians, urban and regional planners, and geoscientists.

The following are examples of common geographer specialties:

Physical geographers examine the physical aspects of a region. They study features of the natural environment such as land forms, climates, soils, vegetation, water, plants, and animals. For example, they may map where a natural resource occurs in a country and analyze its implications. 

Human geographers, also known as cultural geographers, analyze the organization of human activity and its relationships with the physical environment. Human geographers often combine issues from other disciplines into their research, which may include economic, social, or political topics. In their research, some rely primarily on statistical techniques, while others rely on nonstatistical sources, such as field observations and interviews. 

Many human geographers are further classified by their area of specialty:

• Economic geographers study economic activities and the distribution of resources. They may research subjects such as regional employment or the location of industries. 
• Environmental geographers research the impact humans have on the environment and how human activities affect natural processes. Environmental geographers combine aspects of both physical and human geography and commonly study issues such as climate change, desertification, and deforestation. 
• Medical geographers investigate the distribution of health issues, health care, and disease; for example, a medical geographer may examine the incidence of disease in a certain region. 
• Political geographers study the relationship between geography and political structures and processes. 
• Regional geographers focus on the geographic factors in a particular region, ranging in size from a neighborhood or congressional district to an entire continent. 
• Urban geographers study cities and metropolitan areas. For example, they may examine how certain geographic factors, such as climate, affect population density in cities. 

Some people with a geography background become professors and teachers. For more information, see the profile on postsecondary teachers.

Work Environment About this section

Some geographers travel to do fieldwork.

Geographers held about 1,600 jobs in 2010, the majority of which were in the federal government. Most others were employed in professional, scientific, and technical services; colleges, universities, and professional schools; and state and local government.  

Many geographers work full time during regular business hours, and some must travel to do fieldwork. They often travel to the region they are studying, which sometimes includes foreign countries and remote locations, to gather information and data.

How to Become a Geographer About this section

Geographers use maps and global positioning systems in their work.

Those with a bachelor’s degree may qualify for some entry-level jobs, but these often require previous geography experience or training in geographic information systems (GIS).  Geographers need at least a master’s degree for most positions outside of the federal government.

Education

Those with a bachelor’s degree may qualify for jobs in government, businesses, or nonprofits; some mid-level positions allow candidates to substitute experience or GIS proficiency for an advanced degree. Top research positions usually require a Ph.D. or a master’s degree and several years of relevant work experience.   

Most geographers outside of the federal government typically need a master’s degree in geography. Students usually choose to concentrate their courses in physical, human, or regional geography. Most programs include courses in both physical and human geography, statistics or mathematics, remote sensing, and GIS. In addition, courses in business, economics, or real estate are increasingly important as more geographers are employed in private industry. 

Positions for geography professors require a Ph.D. For more information, see the profile on postsecondary teachers. 

Certification

Most positions require geographers to be proficient in GIS technology. Geographers can become certified as a GIS professional (GISP) through the GIS Certification Institute. Although certification is not mandatory, it can demonstrate a level of professional expertise. Candidates may qualify for certification through a combination of education, professional experience, and contributions to the profession, such as publications or conference participation. GISP certification can often help those without a master’s degree or Ph.D. qualify for jobs. 

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Geographers commonly analyze information and spatial data from a variety of sources, such as maps, photographs, and censuses. They must then be able to draw conclusions from sets of data. 

Computer skills. Geographers who use GIS technology need strong computer skills. They must be proficient in GIS programming and database management and should be comfortable creating and manipulating digital images. Most geographers benefit from having some familiarity with GIS to enable them to collaborate and communicate effectively with technical staff.

Critical-thinking skills. Geographers need critical thinking skills when doing research, as they must choose the appropriate data, methods, and scale of analysis for projects. For example, after reviewing a set of population data, they may determine the implications of a particular development plan. 

Presentation skills. Geographers often present their research, typically using visual representations of data. They must describe their findings and explain how the findings are represented. 

Writing skills. Writing skills are important for geographers, who often write reports or articles detailing their research findings, communicating with diverse stakeholders, and justifying proposed projects. Some geographers also must write proposals for funding.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of geographers was $72,800 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,450, and the top 10 percent earned more than $102,440. 

Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of geographers in May 2010 were:

Many geographers work full time during regular business hours. Some do fieldwork that may include travel to foreign countries or remote locations.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of geographers is expected to grow 35 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 600 new jobs over the 10-year period.

More widespread use of geographic information system (GIS) technology allows firms to use geographic data to make better business and planning decisions. Job growth is expected to be fastest in the professional, scientific, and technical services industry, as businesses and developers need geographers to analyze information and advise on topics such as land use, building or infrastructure location, or environmental impact. 

Due to an increasing focus on environmental and sustainable practices, geographers are increasingly needed to understand human impacts on the environment. Geographic analysis will be used to inform developers and policy makers of sustainable business practices and ensure adherence to increased regulations.

Job Prospects

Despite faster than average employment growth, a limited number of positions means applicants are expected to face strong competition for jobs. Those with advanced degrees, knowledge of business concepts, and experience working with GIS should have the best job prospects. 

Job opportunities in the federal government should be limited as this sector is expected to decline. Additionally, some of the work previously done by government agencies is expected to be contracted to consulting firms in the future.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about geographers, visit

Association of American Geographers