The median annual wage of geographers was $72,800 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,450, and the top 10 percent earned more than $102,440.
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of geographers in May 2010 were:
| Federal executive branch (OES designation) | $75,820 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 69,700 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools | 49,800 |
Many geographers work full time during regular business hours. Some do fieldwork that may include travel to foreign countries or remote locations.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition