Geographers Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $117,960 +21.4% vs national
Median hourly $56.71
10th percentile $78,390
90th percentile $141,540
Employed locally 270
National median $97,200

Compare Geographers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Geographers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,390
    25th
    $99,200
    50th (median)
    $117,960
    75th
    $129,350
    90th
    $141,540

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Geographers salary vs area income 95% Median Geographers salary is 5% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Geographers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington $110,340
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $109,550
    Maryland $109,120
    Colorado $106,350
    Missouri $94,870
    Illinois $91,270

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $137,610
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,580
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $112,120
    Economists $157,980
    Political Scientists $153,340
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $109,520

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Geographers make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Geographers in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $56.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $69.56 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Geographers salaries?

    The median Geographers salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 21.4% above the national median of $97,200. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Geographers in Washington?

    Entry-level Geographers (10th percentile) earn around $78,390 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,200.