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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
The data below covers the full spectrum — from six-figure metros to markets where the math is tighter. The national median salary for Geographers in 2026 is $98,931, with entry-level positions averaging $71,230 and senior roles reaching $140,481. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $180,200, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
Geographer falls within the Science & Research sector, specifically in Science. The typical education path involves Bachelor's or master's. The career outlook? Steady. Work style is hybrid — which means location flexibility varies, and so does the premium different markets are willing to pay. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.
$109,650 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Geographer in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $180,200 — $109,650 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($70,550). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. That salary-to-cost ratio is genuinely competitive.
Breaking down the numbers: entry-level Geographers average $71,230, the median sits at $98,931, and senior earners pull in $140,481. That $69,251 gap represents the full earning trajectory of this career. The median is $18,564 above the national median household income of $80,367 — meaning even a mid-career professional in this field outearns the typical American household.
The pay gap between the top and bottom markets is dramatic: $168,300 (average of the top 3 cities) versus $71,117 (average of the bottom 3). That $97,183 delta is real money — $8,099/month before taxes. But the highest-paying cities tend to be the most expensive. The cost-adjusted comparison below tells the more important story.
A Geographer in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $180,200 — $109,650 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($70,550). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Geographer is $71,230, while senior-level (P90) earners average $140,481. That $69,251 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
At the 90th percentile, Geographers pull in an average of $140,481. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field.
Even at the 10th percentile, Geographers average $71,230 nationally. That's a higher starting floor than many careers' median — a signal of strong baseline demand and compensation.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $71,230 | $98,931 | $140,481 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £38,439 | £53,388 | £75,811 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$54,712 | CA$75,989 | CA$107,904 |
| Australia | 13 | A$62,777 | A$87,190 | A$123,810 |
| Sweden | 24 | 391,180 kr | 543,305 kr | 771,493 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $85,971 | $119,404 | $169,554 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $83,079 | $115,388 | $163,850 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $82,620 | $114,750 | $162,945 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $76,500 | $106,250 | $150,875 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $75,582 | $104,975 | $149,065 |
| Washington | 8 | $74,129 | $102,956 | $146,198 |
| New York | 5 | $69,768 | $96,900 | $137,598 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $69,768 | $96,900 | $137,598 |
| Florida | 22 | $69,239 | $96,166 | $136,556 |
| Colorado | 11 | $68,043 | $94,505 | $134,196 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $67,932 | $94,350 | $133,977 |
| Nevada | 5 | $67,810 | $94,180 | $133,736 |
| Arizona | 12 | $67,473 | $93,713 | $133,072 |
| Oregon | 5 | $67,320 | $93,500 | $132,770 |
| Idaho | 3 | $67,116 | $93,217 | $132,368 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $66,586 | $92,480 | $131,322 |
| Utah | 4 | $66,402 | $92,225 | $130,960 |
| Virginia | 7 | $65,309 | $90,707 | $128,804 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $64,464 | $89,533 | $127,137 |
| Alaska | 1 | $64,260 | $89,250 | $126,735 |
| Illinois | 5 | $63,526 | $88,230 | $125,287 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $61,948 | $86,039 | $122,175 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $61,200 | $85,000 | $120,700 |
| Montana | 1 | $61,200 | $85,000 | $120,700 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $60,996 | $84,717 | $120,298 |
| Texas | 40 | $60,695 | $84,299 | $119,704 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $60,588 | $84,150 | $119,493 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $60,282 | $83,725 | $118,890 |
| Georgia | 6 | $60,078 | $83,442 | $118,487 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $59,976 | $83,300 | $118,286 |
| Kansas | 4 | $59,670 | $82,875 | $117,683 |
| Michigan | 6 | $59,466 | $82,592 | $117,280 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $58,752 | $81,600 | $115,872 |
| Maryland | 1 | $58,752 | $81,600 | $115,872 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $58,140 | $80,750 | $114,665 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $58,140 | $80,750 | $114,665 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $56,610 | $78,625 | $111,648 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $56,304 | $78,200 | $111,044 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $55,539 | $77,138 | $109,535 |
| Missouri | 4 | $55,539 | $77,138 | $109,535 |
| Alabama | 5 | $55,325 | $76,840 | $109,113 |
| Indiana | 3 | $54,468 | $75,650 | $107,423 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $54,468 | $75,650 | $107,423 |
| Iowa | 2 | $53,856 | $74,800 | $106,216 |
| Ohio | 6 | $53,754 | $74,658 | $106,015 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $51,408 | $71,400 | $101,388 |
The state salary map for Geographers: California at $119,404, Massachusetts at $115,388, Hawaii at $114,750 lead the pack. The bottom tier — Mississippi ($71,400), Ohio ($74,658), Iowa ($74,800) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $48,004.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($180,200 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $85,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $180,200 | 212 | $85,000 | $106,158 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $168,300 | 198 | $85,000 | $99,607 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $156,400 | 184 | $85,000 | $93,056 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $153,850 | 181 | $85,000 | $91,652 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $151,300 | 178 | $85,000 | $90,248 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $150,450 | 177 | $85,000 | $89,780 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $150,450 | 177 | $85,000 | $89,780 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $147,050 | 173 | $85,000 | $87,909 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $147,050 | 173 | $85,000 | $87,909 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $143,650 | 169 | $85,000 | $86,037 |
Career economics for Geographers: entry level averages $71,230, mid-career hits $98,931, and experienced professionals reach $140,481. That's a 2.0× multiplier from start to peak. The path typically requires Bachelor's or master's, and the work is hybrid. The outlook: steady. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.
The weighted national median salary for Geographers is $98,931 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $71,230, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $140,481.
The highest-paying city for Geographers is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $180,200. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($180,200), Santa Clara ($168,300), Irvine ($156,400). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Geographer salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $70,550. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Geographers (10th percentile) average $71,230 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $129,744. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Geographers average $140,481 nationally — $69,251 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Geographers can earn up to $255,884.
The top-paying states for Geographers are California ($119,404 median), Massachusetts ($115,388 median), Hawaii ($114,750 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Geographer involves Bachelor's or master's. The field is in the Science & Research sector (Science), and the career outlook is steady. Work style is typically hybrid.
With a national median of $98,931 and representation across 288 metro areas, Geographer offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $69,251 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: steady.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.