Geographers Salary
The median pay for a geographers in Washington is $112,260/year ($53.97/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $148K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $110,048 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 24.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Washington. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $112K get you in Washington?
About geographers
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What this looks like in Washington
Geographers pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $112K locally vs. $102K nationwide, a 10% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level geographers (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $112K. Top earners bring in $148K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track geographers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a geographer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $112K, rent takes 25.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for geographers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new geographers typically earn — is $76K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,589/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 40% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is geographer a high-paying job in Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $112K locally vs. $102K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for geographers?
Washington pays $112K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s +10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $110K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do geographers make in Washington?
The median is $112,260 a year, that works out to about $54 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,490, and experienced geographers can clear $147,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $112K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,280/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 25.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a geographers salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median geographers salary is worth about $110,048 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do geographers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.