🛰️
GIS & Mapping Software
Esri, Trimble, Hexagon
Geographers
Geographers study how people, land, climate, and other features are spread across places, then turn that information into maps, models, and advice. The work stands out because it mixes computer-based analysis with field data collection and real-world planning questions, so one day can be spent in GIS software and the next outside measuring a site. The main tradeoff is that the job can be intellectually varied and well paid, but the field is small and the long-term outlook is weak.
Also known as Geospatial AnalystSpatial Data AnalystGIS GeographerResearch GeographerCartographic Analyst
Median Salary
$97,200
Mean $98,160
U.S. Workforce
~1K
0.1K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-3.1%
1.5K to 1.5K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Geographers sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~1K workers, with a median annual pay of $97,200 and roughly 0.1K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 1.5 K in 2024 to 1.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around GIS Technician or Research Assistant and can progress toward Principal Geospatial Consultant. High-value skills usually include ArcGIS Pro, QGIS & GIS Mapping, Cartography, Coordinate Systems & Map Design, and Python, R & Statistical Analysis Software, paired with soft skills such as Reading Comprehension, Writing, and Critical Thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Analyze how roads, neighborhoods, climate, vegetation, or other features are distributed across a region and look for patterns that matter.
- Go into the field to measure land conditions, gather samples or observations, and record information from outdoor sites.
- Build and update maps, charts, and diagrams in GIS software so the information is accurate and easy to understand.
- Collect data from censuses, satellite images, aerial photos, field notes, and existing map archives, then organize it for analysis.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Analyze how roads, neighborhoods, climate, vegetation, or other features are distributed across a region and look for patterns that matter.
02 Go into the field to measure land conditions, gather samples or observations, and record information from outdoor sites.
03 Build and update maps, charts, and diagrams in GIS software so the information is accurate and easy to understand.
04 Collect data from censuses, satellite images, aerial photos, field notes, and existing map archives, then organize it for analysis.
05 Set up and maintain GIS hardware, software, printers, plotters, and other mapping equipment used by the team.
06 Advise clients or agencies on issues such as land use, environmental risks, business location, urban planning, and regional development.
Industries That Hire
🌿
Environmental Consulting
Tetra Tech, Jacobs, Arcadis
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Engineering & Infrastructure Consulting
AECOM, WSP, Burns & McDonnell
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Real Estate & Urban Development
CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield
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Utilities & Energy
Black & Veatch, Quanta Services, Ameresco
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Higher Education & Research
Harvard University, MIT, Stanford University
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is strong for a specialized role: the median is $97,200 and the mean is $98,160, which is solid for work that can start with a bachelor's degree.
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The job mixes office analysis with fieldwork, so you are not stuck doing the same kind of task all day.
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Geography skills transfer well to consulting, GIS, planning, environmental work, and infrastructure projects.
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You usually do not need prior work experience or on-the-job training to enter the field, which makes a degree plus internships a realistic launch point.
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The work can be meaningful because it helps answer practical questions about hazards, land use, business locations, and community planning.
Challenges
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The job market is very small, with only about 1,380 workers and roughly 100 annual openings, so competition can be intense.
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Employment is projected to fall 3.1% by 2034, which signals a weak growth outlook compared with many other analytic careers.
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A lot of workers have advanced degrees, including 25% with doctorates and 20% with master's degrees, so a bachelor's degree alone may not be enough for the best jobs.
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Fieldwork can be physically uncomfortable and unpredictable, with travel, weather, and outdoor conditions that do not fit a regular office routine.
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The field can have a narrow career ceiling because some mapping and spatial analysis work is increasingly bundled into broader GIS, planning, or data teams.
Career Progression
GIS Technician or Research Assistant
0-2 years
$45K-$62K
Entry-level work usually focuses on cleaning data, helping with maps, and supporting field or research projects.
Junior Geographer
2-5 years
$62K-$84K
You start handling your own datasets and map projects, with more responsibility for checking accuracy and explaining findings.
Geographer THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$85K-$115K
At this level, you lead spatial analysis, collect and interpret data, and advise clients or managers on location-based decisions.
Senior Geographer
9-15 years
$115K-$145K
Work becomes more independent and strategic, with oversight of complex studies, client presentations, and multidisciplinary projects.
Principal Geospatial Consultant
15+ years
$145K-$175K
Experienced professionals guide major projects, shape methods, and often lead teams or consulting engagements.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree
The most common entry point, held by 45% of workers in this role, usually in geography, GIS, environmental science, or a related field.
Master's degree
A common way to specialize further, held by 20% of workers, especially for research, GIS, urban planning, or consulting jobs.
Doctoral degree
Often needed for university teaching or advanced research roles, and 25% of workers in the field report this level.
GIS or remote sensing certificate
A practical add-on for people who already have a degree and want to strengthen GIS, mapping, or spatial analysis skills.
Key Skills
Technical
ArcGIS Pro, QGIS & GIS Mapping 90%
Cartography, Coordinate Systems & Map Design 88%
Python, R & Statistical Analysis Software 86%
Remote Sensing, Satellite Imagery & Aerial Photo Analysis 84%
SQL, Spatial Databases & Data Management 82%
GPS, Surveying Equipment & Field Data Collection 80%
Soft Skills
Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision Making Job Outlook and Trends
+-3.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.1K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 1.5K to 1.5 K over the next decade, representing -3.1% growth. Around 0.1 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.