CDCareer Decision

Geographers Salary in CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Geographers in CA have a median annual salary of $114,460, with 80 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $85,800 at the 10th percentile to $144,910 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$114,460

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$55.03

Employment

80

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$85,800
10th
$97,680
25th
$114,460
Median
$130,850
75th
$144,910
90th

Local compared with national

CA

$114,460

Median annual · 2025

United States

$102,040

Median annual · 2025

The CA median is 12.2% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $12,420).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.1
  2. 2.WritingImportance 4.1
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 4.0
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.0
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  6. 6.Active LearningImportance 3.6
  7. 7.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.6
  8. 8.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.5
  9. 9.ScienceImportance 3.4
  10. 10.Systems AnalysisImportance 3.4
  11. 11.Learning StrategiesImportance 3.1
  12. 12.InstructingImportance 3.1

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • ACD Systems Canvas
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Caliper Maptitude
  • Clark Labs IDRISI Andes
  • Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • ESRI ArcIMS
  • ESRI ArcInfo
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Geographic resources analysis support system GRASS
  • Golden Software Grapher

Common tasks

  • Create and modify maps, graphs, or diagrams, using geographical information software and related equipment, and principles of cartography, such as coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.
  • Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
  • Teach geography.
  • Write and present reports of research findings.
  • Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
  • Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
  • Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
  • Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.
  • Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
  • Collect data on physical characteristics of specified areas, such as geological formations, climates, and vegetation, using surveying or meteorological equipment.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Geographers salary in other locations

Other occupations in CA