What Does a Geography Professor Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a geography professor do?

Geography teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in geography, including human and physical geography and GIS, at colleges and universities. The median pay is $97,590 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +2.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$97,590
Annual salary · May 2025
Job growth
+2.7%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
300
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS classification
Time to train
5–7 years after a bachelor’s
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
4,100
Employment, 2025

What geography professors do

Geography professors teach about places and spatial patterns. They teach human geography, physical geography, cartography and GIS, lead field courses, research topics like urbanization, climate and migration, and train students in mapping and spatial analysis.

Most hold a Ph.D. GIS skills make geography graduates employable in many fields.

Typical duties

Teach geography courses
Teach GIS and mapping
Lead field courses
Conduct research
Mentor students
Publish research
Serve on committees

Work environment and schedule

Faculty work in classrooms, computer labs and field sites.

Schedule: Teaching, research and service with flexible hours.

A day in the life

9:00 AMTeach world regional geography.
10:30 AMRun a GIS lab.
12:00 PMAnalyze satellite imagery.
2:00 PMMeet a city planning partner.

See a full day in the life of a geography professor →

Geography Professor salary

Half of geography professors earned more than $97,590 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $52,550 for the lowest 10% to $165,460 for the top 10%.

$52,55010th$97,590Median$165,46090th

Full geography professor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a geography professor

Earn a geography bachelor’s
Do research
Complete a Ph.D.
Publish
Get hired

A Ph.D. in geography is typical for universities.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a geography professor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

GIS
Spatial analysis
Cartography
Remote sensing
Research methods

People skills

Communication
Curiosity
Mentoring
Visual thinking

All geography professor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Teach in-demand GIS skills
Interdisciplinary research
Fieldwork
Flexible schedule

Cons

Few positions
Competitive tenure track
Grant dependence
Long training

Certifications and licenses

Ph.D. in geography: Doctoral degree.
GISP: GIS professional certification.
Esri technical certification: Software credential.
Research grants: NSF and others.

Career path

Graduate Instructor: Train.
Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
Associate Professor: Tenure.
Professor or Chair: Lead departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our Geography Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach an intro GIS lab and teach map projections, safety and how to land your first job.

View Geography Professor training Is this career right for me?

Geographer

Study places, people and the environment using maps and spatial data.

$102,040
4-year degree

Cartographer

Make maps and analyze geographic data.

$81,390
Entry-level with a degree

Urban Planner

Plan how cities and towns grow, from housing and parks to roads and transit.

$89,320
6 years (bachelor’s + master’s)

Earth Sciences Professor

Teach geology, oceans, weather and space science at the college level.

$103,170
5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Compare: Geography Professor vs. Geographer · Geography Professor vs. Cartographer · Geography Professor vs. Urban Planner · Geography Professor vs. Earth Sciences Professor

Geography Professor FAQ

Do geography professors teach GIS?

Many do; it’s a core skill.

Do they need a Ph.D.?

Usually.

Is geography interdisciplinary?

Yes, linking social and physical sciences.

How much does a geography professor make?

The median annual wage for geography professors was $97,590 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $52,550 and the highest 10% earned more than $165,460.

How long does it take to become a geography professor?

Most people need about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. in geography is typical for universities.

Do you need a degree to be a geography professor?

Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a Ph.D., while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1064 (Geography teachers, postsecondary).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Geography teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Geography Professor