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Occupation · SOC 19-3092

Geographers

There are 1,400 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $102,040 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
1,400
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$102,040
Median pay a year
Middle half: $80,290–$121,870
100
Annual openings
10-year change: −2.1%
77
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

3 of 3 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $118,290 · LCA filings 23280$118,29023
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $76,000 · LCA filings 2120$76,0002
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $104,770 · LCA filings 230$104,7702

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 280 · LCA filings 23$118,29028023
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 30 · LCA filings 2$104,770302
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXEmployment 120 · LCA filings 2$76,0001202

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 280234280
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 12022120
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 302130

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $99,674 · Level III $114,691 · Level IV $129,688$84,677$99,674$114,691$129,688
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $71,635 · Level III $78,603 · Level IV $85,550$64,688$71,635$78,603$85,550
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $88,192 · Level III $103,979 · Level IV $119,766$72,405$88,192$103,979$119,766

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Geography and CartographyCIP 45.07Varies by program487Varies by program
Geography and Environmental StudiesCIP 30.44STEM OPT · up to 36 months122STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Geographers in every metro area

All 3 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Science

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology