# Geographers

> Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 19-3092.00
- **Summary:** Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

## Aliases

- Earth Observations Scientist
- GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator)
- GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer)
- Geographer
- GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist)
- Scientist
- Biogeographer
- Cultural Resources Specialist
- Economic Geographer
- Geomorphologist
- Glaciologist
- Imagery Analyst

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps. | Core | 4.A.2.a.2.c |
| Teach geography. | Core | 4.A.4.b.3.b |
| Write and present reports of research findings. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.c |
| Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.b |
| Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.r |
| Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.r |
| Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.b |
| Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.d |
| Collect data on physical characteristics of specified areas, such as geological formations, climates, and vegetation, using surveying or meteorological equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.al |
| Conduct field work at outdoor sites. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.al |
| Provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning. | Core | 4.A.4.b.6.e |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Prepare maps. | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations. | 4.A.3.b.6.c |
| Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use. | 4.A.2.b.2.b |
| Collect archival data. | 4.A.1.a.1.d |
| Conduct anthropological or archaeological research. | 4.A.1.a.1.r |
| Instruct college students in social sciences or humanities disciplines. | 4.A.4.b.3.b |
| Compile geographic or related data. | 4.A.2.a.2.c |
| Collect geographical or geological field data. | 4.A.3.a.2.al |
| Advise others on business or operational matters. | 4.A.4.b.6.e |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Geography | knowledge | 4.85 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 4.12 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 4.12 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 4.12 |
| Written Expression | ability | 4.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 4.12 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 4 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 4 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 4 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 4 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.88 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.84 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.75 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.75 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.75 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.75 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.62 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.62 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.62 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.55 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | knowledge | 3.45 |
| Science | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Systems Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Fluency of Ideas | ability | 3.25 |
| Learning Strategies | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Instructing | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Systems Evaluation | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Originality | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.12 |
| Mathematics | essential_skill | 3 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Service Orientation | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Adobe Photoshop | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Minitab | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | Common Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Adobe Dreamweaver | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| ESRI ArcGIS software | Geographic information system | yes | yes |
| Python | Object or component oriented development software | yes | yes |
| Structured query language SQL | Data base user interface and query software | yes | yes |
| Adobe Photoshop | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| IBM SPSS Statistics | Analytical or scientific software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| R | Object or component oriented development software | yes | no |
| SAS | Analytical or scientific software | yes | no |
| The MathWorks MATLAB | Analytical or scientific software | yes | no |
| Geographic information system GIS software | Geographic information system | no | yes |
| Geographic information system GIS systems | Geographic information system | no | yes |
| ACD Systems Canvas | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Adobe Dreamweaver | Web page creation and editing software | no | no |
| Caliper Maptitude | Geographic information system | no | no |
| Clark Labs IDRISI Andes | Map creation software | no | no |
| Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| ESRI ArcIMS | Geographic information system | no | no |
| ESRI ArcInfo | Geographic information system | no | no |
| ESRI ArcView | Geographic information system | no | no |
| Geographic resources analysis support system GRASS | Map creation software | no | no |
| Golden Software Grapher | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Golden Software Surfer | Map creation software | no | no |
| Google Earth Pro | Geographic information system | no | no |
| Groundwater Vistas | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| HydroSOLVE AQTESOLV | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| ITT Visual Information Solutions ENVI | Map creation software | no | no |
| Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE | Map creation software | no | no |
| Lemkesoft GraphicConverter | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| MapInfo MapMarker | Map creation software | no | no |
| Martin D Adamiker's TruFlite | Map creation software | no | no |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | Internet browser software | no | no |
| Minitab | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| MODPATH | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Pattern searching software | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| RIVERMorph | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| E-Mail | 4.9 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.55 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.45 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.4 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.3 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.9 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 3.85 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.75 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 3.75 |
| Level of Competition | 3.55 |
| Time Pressure | 3.5 |
| Contact With Others | 3.4 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.25 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.1 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.05 |
| Public Speaking | 3 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.9 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 2.9 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 2.8 |
| Physical Proximity | 2.7 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 2.65 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.45 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.4 |
| Spend Time Standing | 2.35 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.2 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 2.2 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 2.15 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 2.1 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 2.05 |
| Degree of Automation | 2 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 1.9 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 1.9 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 1.85 |
| Consequence of Error | 1.8 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 1.65 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 1.4 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 1.35 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 1.3 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 1.3 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 1.26 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 4
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- **Experience:** A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- **Svp Range:** (7.0 to < 8.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Bachelor's Degree | 45 |
| Doctoral Degree | 25 |
| Master's Degree | 20 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5 |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 5 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 6.74 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.11 |
| Social Science | specific_interest_area | 4.6 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 4.48 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 4.33 |
| Dependability | work_style | 4 |
| Nature/Outdoors | specific_interest_area | 3.72 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 3.69 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 3.69 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 3.58 |
| Humanities | specific_interest_area | 3.04 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 3 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 2.72 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 2.68 |
| Public Speaking | specific_interest_area | 2.65 |
| Teaching/Education | specific_interest_area | 2.61 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 15-1299.02 | role-15-1299-02 | Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 25-1064.00 | role-25-1064-00 | Geography Teachers, Postsecondary | Primary-Short |
| 19-2042.00 | role-19-2042-00 | Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | Primary-Short |
| 15-2051.00 | role-15-2051-00 | Data Scientists | Primary-Short |
| 17-1021.00 | role-17-1021-00 | Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | Primary-Short |
| 19-3091.00 | role-19-3091-00 | Anthropologists and Archeologists | Primary-Long |
| 17-1022.01 | role-17-1022-01 | Geodetic Surveyors | Primary-Long |
| 19-2021.00 | role-19-2021-00 | Atmospheric and Space Scientists | Primary-Long |
| 19-2099.01 | role-19-2099-01 | Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | Primary-Long |
| 15-2041.00 | role-15-2041-00 | Statisticians | Primary-Long |
| 17-3031.00 | role-17-3031-00 | Surveying and Mapping Technicians | Supplemental |
| 19-4044.00 | role-19-4044-00 | Hydrologic Technicians | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Education | education |
| Healthcare & Human Services | healthcare-human-services |
| Public Service & Safety | public-service-safety |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Bachelor's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Health Professions and Related Programs | health-professions-and-related-programs |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services | homeland-security-law-enforcement-firefighting-and-related-protective-services |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | multi-interdisciplinary-studies |
| Social Sciences | social-sciences |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 97200
- **Mean Wage:** 98160
- **Pct10Wage:** 62390
- **Pct25Wage:** 75590
- **Pct75Wage:** 117190
- **Pct90Wage:** 133680
- **Employment:** 1380
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 150 | 65150 | 1.23 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 70 | 73250 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 150 | 1.23 |
- **Count:** 2

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.25 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 1.436298 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 1.497411 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | 1.363147 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 88
- **Percentile:** 93
- **Band:** High
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 98 | felten_aioe |
| 69 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 97 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 1.436298 | 98 | High | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.8333333333333333 | 69 | High | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.35240442876829564 | 97 | High | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.25
- **Percentile:** 37
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** yes

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.16666666666666666
- **Beta:** 0.49999999999999994
- **Gamma:** 0.8333333333333333

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population. | 0.06439778315510108 | 3.84 |
| Write and present reports of research findings. | 0.023725499057142503 | 4.11 |
| Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales. | 0.004313727101298638 | 3.84 |
| Provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning. | 0.004108311525046321 | 3.18 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -3.1
- **Growth Percentile:** 16
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 0.1
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 1
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 1.5
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 1.5

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 5
- **Task Count:** 7
- **Total Sample:** 383
- **Autonomy Median:** 3
- **Dominant Collaboration:** directive
- **Automation Share:** 30.03
- **Augmentation Share:** 41.69
- **Work Use Percent:** 22.45

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| directive | 30.03 |
| learning | 23.32 |
| task iteration | 18.37 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| personal | 39.07 |
| coursework | 26.53 |
| work | 22.45 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Write and present reports of research findings. | 0.014301787723465433 | learning | 4 | 143 |
| Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population. | 0.006400800100012502 | learning | 3 | 64 |
| Gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps. | 0.006100762595324416 | directive | 3 | 61 |
| Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases. | 0.003800475059382423 | directive | 3 | 38 |
| Provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning. | 0.0037004625578197278 |  | 4 | 37 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases. | 100 | 38 |
| Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population. | 98.4375 | 64 |
| Provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning. | 97.2972972972973 | 37 |
| Gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps. | 93.44262295081968 | 61 |
| Write and present reports of research findings. | 91.6083916083916 | 143 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Teach me how to write and present reports of research findings, then check my work as I try it myself. | learning |
| Teach me how to study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population, then check my work as I try it myself. | learning |
| Do this for me: gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
| Do this for me: locate and obtain existing geographic information databases. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
| Help me with this part of my job: provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning |  |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 12
- **Skills:** 40
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 45
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** b666934a755769ef