Occupations/19-3092.00
Geographers
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.
Usually a four-year bachelor’s degree.
AI automation risk
63%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
37%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
32%
More resilient
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Teach geography.
- Task
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.
- Task
Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
The tasks we can read here lean on people, judgment, or hands-on work. The AI risk number is still this job’s rank against other occupations.
Core tasks
- 01Create 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.
- 02Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
- 03Teach geography.
- 04Write and present reports of research findings.
- 05Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
- 06Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.45
- Degree of automation2.00
- Time sitting3.85
- Originality (ability)3.12
- Conflict situations2.40
- Hands-on objects/tools2.10
- Outdoors / weather2.20
- Disease exposure1.15
- Decision freedom4.40
Top abilities
- Written Expression4.12
- Written Comprehension4.12
- Inductive Reasoning4.12
- Oral Expression4.00
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Deductive Reasoning4.00
- Near Vision3.88
- Speech Recognition3.75
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.12
- Active Listening3.75
- Writing4.12
- Speaking4.00
- Mathematics3.00
- Science3.38
- Critical Thinking4.00
- Active Learning3.62
- Learning Strategies3.12
- Monitoring3.00
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 70 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York University New York, NY · Private nonprofit | Medical/Health Humanities 51.3204 | $60,400 | 12% | 88% | 1 yr $118,465 2 yr — Master's · CIP 51.32 |
The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX · Public | Medical/Health Humanities 51.3204 | $14,600 | 65% | 73% | 1 yr $82,123 2 yr $80,862 Master's · CIP 51.32 |
Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Private nonprofit | Medical/Health Humanities 51.3204 | $68,200 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $69,338 2 yr — Master's · CIP 51.32 |
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | Geography 45.0701 | $68,200 | 12% | 92% | 1 yr $62,508 2 yr $60,094 Master's · CIP 45.07 |
Howard University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit | Geospatial Intelligence 43.0407 | $33,200 | 53% | 65% | 1 yr $59,576 2 yr $61,218 Master's · CIP 43.04 |
Boston University Boston, MA · Private nonprofit | Geospatial Intelligence 43.0407 | $65,200 | 14% | 89% | 1 yr $49,962 2 yr $49,937 Master's · CIP 43.04 |
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public | Geography 45.0701 | $13,800 | 9% | 92% | 1 yr $47,260 2 yr $46,087 Bachelor's · CIP 45.07 |
Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public | Geospatial Intelligence 43.0407 | $6,500 | 25% | 84% | 1 yr $47,260 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 43.04 |
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public | Geography 45.0701 | $17,500 | 45% | 85% | 1 yr $44,384 2 yr $31,133 Bachelor's · CIP 45.07 |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA · Public | Geospatial Intelligence 43.0407 | $15,200 | 57% | 86% | 1 yr $43,798 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 43.04 |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | Geospatial Intelligence 43.0407 | $19,600 | 55% | 86% | 1 yr $42,682 2 yr $45,500 Bachelor's · CIP 43.04 |
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL · Public | Geography 45.0701 | $11,900 | 80% | 73% | 1 yr $42,682 2 yr $41,565 Bachelor's · CIP 45.07 |