Geographers in Pennsylvania
Want to work as a Geographers in Pennsylvania? Here’s what you need to know. 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.
What do Geographers Make in Pennsylvania?
For geographers working in Pennsylvania, the median annual wage is $85,220 per year (or about $40.97/hour).Annual wages span from $75,000 at the 10th percentile to $136,830 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| 25th percentile | $76,980 | $37.01 |
| Median (50th) | $85,220 | $40.97 |
| 75th percentile | $131,770 | $63.35 |
| 90th percentile | $136,830 | $65.79 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Pennsylvania nationwide is 0.74, suggesting fewer geographers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, geographers earn a median of $77,391 per year ($37.21/hour), higher than the Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 37,941 geographers nationwide. In Pennsylvania alone, approximately 40 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 50 geographers.
Top States for Geographers Employment
These states have the highest employment of geographers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Maryland | 260 |
| Texas | 170 |
| Colorado | 90 |
| Illinois | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | 40 |
| Arizona | 40 |
| Missouri | 40 |
| Washington | 30 |
Highest-Paying States for Geographers
These states pay the most for geographers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $110,340 |
| Maryland | $109,120 |
| Colorado | $106,350 |
| Missouri | $94,870 |
| Illinois | $91,270 |
| Arizona | $87,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,220 |
| Texas | $75,550 |
Skills
Key geographers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for geographers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Geographers typically:
- 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.
- Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
- Teach geography.
- Write and present reports of research findings.
- Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
- Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
- Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
- Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.
- Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
- Collect data on physical characteristics of specified areas, such as geological formations, climates, and vegetation, using surveying or meteorological equipment.
- Conduct field work at outdoor sites.
- Provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning.
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Thinking Creatively
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Geography & Cartography
- Geography and Anthropology
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Climate Science
- Environmental Geosciences
- Earth Systems Science
- Bioethics/Medical Ethics
- Security Science and Technology
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Related Careers
Related occupations to geographers include:
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
- Statisticians
- Data Scientists
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
Also Known As
Biogeographer, Cultural Resources Specialist, Earth Observations Scientist, Economic Geographer, GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator), GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer), GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist), Geographer, Geomorphologist, Glaciologist, Imagery Analyst, Natural Resources Specialist, Physical Geographer, Political Geographer, Scientist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-3092.00
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