We used the latest data and insights to identify the highest paying geography jobs so that you can learn and earn more.
If you’re looking for a new job, it’s probably not the best idea to just pick one at random. You might have heard that jobs in the field of geography are all about mapping, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
Geography is a fascinating field that spans everything from cartography and mapping to urban planning and architecture. And while all of these jobs can be very rewarding, they also come with pretty hefty paychecks.
So, if you want to know the highest-paying geography jobs for geography majors, keep reading. We’ll tell you all about it in this article.
Table of Contents
#10. Geopolitical Analyst
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $34,000 per year
- High Range: $75,000 per year
- Median Pay: $50,146 per year
What do they do?
Geopolitical analysts are employed by organizations that need political intelligence.
These professionals analyze the political climate of different countries and regions, including their economic status, social behaviors, and political systems. They also study current events within these areas to determine how they will impact global affairs.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Geopolitical analysts typically have a bachelor’s degree in political science or international relations. Before entering this field, they may also have experience working as a government analyst or journalist.
Who’s hiring for this job?
These analysts work for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and businesses that have a stake in the political climate of different countries.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you’re interested in becoming a geopolitical analyst, there are several steps you can take. First, get a bachelor’s degree in political science or international relations from an accredited college or university.
It’s also advisable to get experience working as a government analyst or journalist before entering this field.
What is it to be a geopolitical analyst?
#9. Cartographer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $39,000 per year
- High Range: $71,000 per year
- Median Pay: $57,045 per year
What do they do?
A cartographer is a person who creates maps. They use satellite images and other data types to create digital maps showing roads, buildings, and other features of interest.
These geography professionals may also update existing maps by adding new roads or updating information about buildings that have changed over time.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Cartographers are usually geography graduates. They have at least an undergraduate degree in geography or cartography. Employers may also prefer applicants with a master’s degree. These professionals need to be detail-oriented and enjoy working with numbers as well as maps.
Who’s hiring for this job?
These experts in cartography may find work in government agencies, engineering firms, or mapping companies.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you want to become a cartographer, you’ll need some education in geography or cartography. It’s also important to have some experience in cartography and mapmaking.
You can get this experience by volunteering with a nonprofit organization or working as an intern at a mapping company. Once you have your degree and experience, you can apply for jobs as a cartographer.
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What is it like to be a cartographer?
#8. Environmental Consultants
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $41,000 per year
- High Range: $92,000 per year
- Median Pay: $60,097 per year
What do they do?
Environmental consultants help organizations solve problems. They provide advice and expertise on environmental issues, such as handling hazardous waste or reducing greenhouse gas emissions from a manufacturing facility.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field. Prospective consultants also need experience in the field, such as working as a waste specialist at a manufacturing plant.
A master’s degree can help you advance in the field, but it’s not always required. You also need to pass a certification exam.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Environmental consultants work for government agencies, environmental consulting firms, and other organizations. They may travel to client sites or work in an office.
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What is the best way to get this job?
You can start by getting a bachelor’s degree in an environmental consulting-related field. After graduating, you can take an entry-level position with an environmental consulting firm or government agency. As you gain experience and knowledge in the field, you may advance to higher positions.
What is it to be an environmental consultant?
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#7. Geography Teachers
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Zippia
- Low Range: $42,000 per year
- High Range: $85,000 per year
- Median Pay: $60,469 per year
What do they do?
Geography teachers teach geography students about the world’s physical features, such as mountains, rivers, and oceans. They may also teach about human geography and how humans affect their surroundings.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
These teaching professionals have a bachelor’s degree in geography or a related field, such as social studies. They are also licensed by the state in which they teach.
Geography teachers may need additional training if they want to teach at the college level or specialize in a specific area of geography, such as human and physical geography.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Employers include public schools, private schools, and colleges.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you find yourself unable to resist the urge to educate your peers, geography teachers are a great way to make a living. You need a bachelor’s degree in geography or a related field to get this job.
You also need to pass the state teaching exam and obtain a license for the state where you want to teach.
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How do you become a geography teacher?
#6. Landscape Architect
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $48,000 per year
- High Range: $89,000 per year
- Median Pay: $63,646 per year
What do they do?
Landscape architects are responsible for the design and development of outdoor spaces. They create parks, playgrounds, gardens, and other outdoor areas. Their responsibilities may be similar to urban and regional planners.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most landscape architects have a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, but some have a related area of study. They may also have a master’s degree or even a doctorate. These professionals have a good understanding of physical geography.
Who’s hiring for this job?
These architects work for private firms, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. They may specialize in urban planning, landscape design, or historic preservation.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to get this job is to earn a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and then complete an internship at a landscaping firm. You can also apply for a master’s program in landscape architecture if you already have your bachelor’s degree.
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What is it like to be a landscape architect?
#5. Remote Sensing Analyst
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Zippia
- Low Range: $51,000 per year
- High Range: $79,000 per year
- Median Pay: $63,838 per year
What do they do?
Remote sensing analysts use satellite imagery to analyze land cover, vegetation health, and agricultural productivity. They also help clients make better land use and management decisions by helping them interpret data from satellites, aerial photography, and other sources.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most remote sensing analysts have a bachelor’s degree in geography, computer science, physical sciences, or another related field of science. Some have master’s degrees in remote sensing-related subjects.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Remote sensing analysts work for companies, universities, government agencies, and organizations that want to know more about the physical world.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can start by taking courses in geography, computer science, and other related fields. It also helps to get an internship with a company or organization that does remote sensing work.
What is it like to be a remote sensing analyst?
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#4. Environmental Planners
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $48,000 per year
- High Range: $83,000 per year
- Median Pay: $63,943 per year
What do they do?
Environmental planners are responsible for developing and implementing plans that help people manage their environmental resources. This includes policies relating to land use, transportation, and pollution control.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
These planners typically have geography, political science, or environmental design background. But employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree in urban or environmental planning.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Environmental planners work for government agencies, private companies, and nonprofit organizations. They may also be self-employed as consultants.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to get this job is to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental planning or a related field. Then, you can pursue a master’s degree in urban or environmental planning.
You will also need to gain experience by working as an intern or volunteer with local government agencies and planning departments.
What is it like to be an environmental planner?
#3. Emergency Management Directors
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $49,000 per year
- High Range: $142,000 per year
- Median Pay: $83,305 per year
What do they do?
In the event of an emergency, it’s the emergency management director who’s responsible for planning and implementing an effective response. This includes managing resources and coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure they have access to the best possible resources.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
There is no specific degree for this job, but most directors have a bachelor’s degree in an emergency-related field, such as public administration or emergency management.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Emergency management directors work for local, state, and federal governments as well as non-profit organizations.
What is the best way to get this job?
Many emergency management directors have started out as emergency responders. This means you can begin your career as a firefighter, police officer, or paramedic. Then work their way up through the ranks to become department managers.
What is it like to be an emergency management director?
#2. Environmental Managers
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $54,000 per year
- High Range: $127,000 per year
- Median Pay: $87,329 per year
What do they do?
Environmental managers are responsible for maintaining and improving the quality of the environment. They are involved in monitoring and enforcing federal, state, county, and municipal regulations regarding air, water, and land pollution.
Environmental managers also work with businesses to help them reduce their carbon footprint and conserve natural resources.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Employers hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree in environmental management or a related field for entry-level jobs. However, environmental managers with master’s degrees or doctorates may be eligible for supervisory positions. A good understanding of both physical and human geography may help you in this field.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Environmental managers work for private companies and government agencies at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels.
What is the best way to get this job?
First, you should get a bachelor’s degree in environmental management or a related field. Next, you need to complete an internship with an environmental management company or government agency. Finally, you should apply for jobs using a well-tailored resume and cover letter.
What is it like to be an environmental manager?
#1. Geographic Information Systems Developer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Zippia
- Low Range: $71,000 per year
- High Range: $140,000 per year
- Median Pay: $100,464 per year
What do they do?
A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based system that integrates, stores, and analyzes large amounts of geographic data to support decision-making.
GIS developers create and maintain GIS software, manage databases and create maps. They may work with other GIS specialists to design systems that help users analyze data in various ways.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
This job requires a computer science or a geography degree.. Typically, employers require at least two years of experience in GIS development.
Who’s hiring for this job?
GIS developers work for government agencies, universities, private companies, and nonprofit organizations. Some may be self-employed or work as independent contractors.
What is the best way to get this job?
GIS developers can develop their skills by taking courses in computer science, geoscience, surveying, geography, or a related field. You also need to be familiar with data analysis and visualization techniques.
After completing a bachelor’s degree program in one of these fields, you can get a job as an entry-level GIS developer. You can also get a job as an intern or work part-time while you earn your degree. You may be promoted to more senior positions as you gain experience and hone your skills.
What is it like to be a GIS developer?
Conclusion
The world of geography is one of the most competitive you’ll ever enter. You’ll have to work hard for your place at the top, but when you get there, it will be worth every minute.
So what does this mean for a geography major? It means that if you want to be one of the best geographers around, you’re going to have to study hard and stay up-to-date on all things geographical. It also means that if you want to make a living as a geographer, you must be willing to travel—and even relocate—if necessary.
If this sounds like something that interests you (and we hope it does), then get started right now! There are plenty of resources online that can help guide you through your journey toward becoming an expert in geography.
I’m DAMBI KEMBI from PAPUA NEW GUINEA and am a GEOGRAPHY STUDENT who will be studying GEOGRAPHY as my Major here in PAPUA NEW GUINEA at the PACIFIC ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY.My aim is to be one of the best GEOGRAPHER STUDENT. Is there any possibilities which you think it’ll leading me to where I,m dreaming of?
the jobs shown above are really important thanks for theses information