Geographers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Geographers in the United States earn a median salary of $102,040 per year — about $49 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 2K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of -3%.
AI & Automation Risk
Geographers primarily perform digital knowledge work, including data analysis, GIS modeling, and report writing, all of which are highly susceptible to AI automation and enhancement. While some fieldwork exists, the core of the profession involves processing satellite imagery and census data—tasks where AI and machine learning are rapidly becoming more efficient than humans.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVBEST VALUE | $118,290 | Above avg (109.5) | $107,985 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $104,770 | Above avg (103.2) | $101,537 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $76,000 | Average (98.3) | $77,333 |