Geographers Salary
The median pay for a geographers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $118,290/year ($56.87/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $145K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $108,643 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month, about 30.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $118K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About geographers
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What this looks like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria sits well above the national pay line for geographers, local pay runs about 16% higher than the U.S. median of $102K. Rent runs $2,246/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for geographers in metros near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $105K | $100K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level geographers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K. Top earners bring in $145K or more, a $65K spread from bottom to top.
Geographers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Geographers salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $115K | +13% | 210 |
| California | $114K | +12% | 80 |
| Washington | $112K | +10% | 40 |
| Virginia | $108K | +6% | 130 |
| Missouri | $102K | +0% | 40 |
| Illinois | $93K | -9% | 40 |
| Texas | $79K | -22% | 180 |
Track geographers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a geographer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $118K, rent takes 31.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for geographers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new geographers typically earn — is $80K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,796/month. At HUD’s $2,246/month FMR, rent would take 47% 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-Arlington-Alexandria?
Local pay is 16% above the national median — $118K here vs. $102K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for geographers?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $118K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s +16%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $109K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do geographers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $118,290 a year, that works out to about $57 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,940, and experienced geographers can clear $144,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,032/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 31.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a geographers salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $108,643 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.