Best cities for a geographer
The best cities for geographers are Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, VA, and Chesapeake, VA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for geographers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for geographers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a geographer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for geographers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for geographers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a geographer. While the absolute best city for geographers is Virginia Beach, VA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for geographers in 2024.
If you're looking for a geographer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for geographers in 2026
1. Virginia Beach, VA
Total geographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $85,928 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Norfolk, VA
Total geographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $85,761 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Chesapeake, VA
Total geographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $85,618 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Columbus, OH
Total geographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $68,016 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Boston, MA
Total geographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $84,253 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Tucson, AZ
Total geographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $74,365 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $109,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Toledo, OH
Total geographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,697 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Chandler, AZ
Total geographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,754 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Phoenix, AZ
Total geographer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $73,639 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 5.23 10. New Orleans, LA
Total geographer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $64,981 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Location quotient: 35.60
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Best cities for geographers
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Norfolk, VA
- Chesapeake, VA
- Columbus, OH
- Boston, MA
- Tucson, AZ
- Toledo, OH
- Chandler, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- New Orleans, LA
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Detailed list of the best cities for a geographer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach, VA | $85,928 | $56,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 2 | Norfolk, VA | $85,761 | $56,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 3 | Chesapeake, VA | $85,618 | $56,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $68,016 | $44,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $84,253 | $56,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 6 | Tucson, AZ | $74,365 | $50,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $67,697 | $44,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 8 | Chandler, AZ | $73,754 | $50,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $73,639 | $50,000 | 1,615,017 | 2 |
| 10 | New Orleans, LA | $64,981 | $43,000 | 391,495 | 2 |
| 11 | Gilbert, AZ | $73,749 | $50,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $69,622 | $45,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 13 | Mesa, AZ | $73,703 | $50,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 14 | Glendale, AZ | $73,658 | $50,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 15 | Scottsdale, AZ | $73,579 | $50,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 16 | Fort Wayne, IN | $67,279 | $44,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 17 | Cincinnati, OH | $65,821 | $43,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 18 | Indianapolis, IN | $66,032 | $43,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 19 | Lexington, KY | $65,597 | $43,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 20 | Reno, NV | $70,449 | $47,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 21 | San Diego, CA | $76,710 | $51,000 | 1,406,630 | 10 |
| 22 | Louisville, KY | $64,720 | $43,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 23 | Washington, DC | $81,038 | $53,000 | 681,170 | 9 |
| 24 | Henderson, NV | $68,463 | $46,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 25 | Las Vegas, NV | $68,425 | $46,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 26 | Milwaukee, WI | $65,194 | $43,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 27 | North Las Vegas, NV | $68,352 | $46,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 28 | Philadelphia, PA | $64,463 | $42,000 | 1,567,872 | 2 |
| 29 | Madison, WI | $64,324 | $43,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 30 | Baltimore, MD | $81,478 | $53,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 31 | San Francisco, CA | $79,938 | $52,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 32 | Oakland, CA | $79,740 | $52,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 33 | Fremont, CA | $79,460 | $52,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 34 | San Jose, CA | $79,330 | $52,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 35 | Sacramento, CA | $79,020 | $52,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 36 | Fresno, CA | $77,367 | $51,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 37 | Stockton, CA | $78,862 | $52,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 38 | Pittsburgh, PA | $61,293 | $39,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 39 | Saint Louis, MO | $61,167 | $41,000 | 311,404 | 7 |
| 40 | Chula Vista, CA | $76,744 | $51,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 41 | Brookhaven, NY | $72,905 | $48,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 42 | Long Beach, CA | $76,681 | $51,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 43 | Islip, NY | $72,807 | $48,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 44 | Bakersfield, CA | $76,647 | $51,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 45 | Oyster Bay, NY | $72,641 | $48,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 46 | Memphis, TN | $50,785 | $34,000 | 652,717 | 3 |
| 47 | Los Angeles, CA | $76,640 | $51,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 48 | Hempstead, NY | $72,600 | $48,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 49 | Santa Ana, CA | $76,611 | $51,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 50 | New York, NY | $72,425 | $47,000 | 8,537,673 | 4 |
Highest paying cities for geographers
| Rank | City | Avg. geographer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington, VA | $86,263 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $81,038 |
| 3 | Santa Barbara, CA | $77,079 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $72,425 |
| 5 | Morgantown, WV | $71,255 |
| 6 | Newark, OH | $68,741 |
| 7 | Lafayette, LA | $64,974 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $64,463 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $61,691 |
| 10 | Sioux Falls, SD | $60,575 |
| 11 | Kansas City, MO | $59,553 |
| 12 | Grand Junction, CO | $59,415 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $58,057 |
| 14 | Lombard, IL | $56,631 |
| 15 | Oak Ridge, TN | $52,884 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $52,871 |
| 17 | Houston, TX | $52,460 |
| 18 | Orlando, FL | $50,729 |
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Updated January 8, 2025