Geographer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Geographers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $118,290 a year ($56.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,680 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 10% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $108,020. There are 0.09 geographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 9.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $114,830, close to the median.
Pay range for geographers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,940 | $38.43 |
| 25th percentile | $93,040 | $44.73 |
| Median | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| 75th percentile | $131,810 | $63.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,680 | $69.56 |
| Average (mean) | $114,830 | $55.21 |
Half of geographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,857.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,928.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,549.62 |
| Weekly | $2,274.81 |
| Hourly | $56.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $118,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Geographer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $104,770 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for geographers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $114,920 |
| California | $114,460 |
| Washington | $112,260 |
| Virginia | $108,020 |
| Missouri | $102,040 |
| Illinois | $92,640 |
| Texas | $79,170 |
See Geographer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| School Psychologist | $106,550 | $51.23 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,670 | $48.88 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $104,770 | $50.37 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $129,730 | $62.37 |
| Survey Researcher | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Historian | $115,690 | $55.62 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $87,400 | $42.02 |
| Sociologist | $103,840 | $49.93 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $170,980 | $82.20 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geographer make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for geographers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $118,290 a year, or $56.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid geographers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of geographers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $144,680 a year. The top 25% earn $131,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for geographers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,940 a year, and a quarter of geographers earn $93,040 or less.
How many geographers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 280 geographers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.