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Job outlook for geography teachers in the United States
Geography teacher job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected geography teacher job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 48,700 new jobs for geography teachers are projected over the next decade.
Geography teacher salaries have increased 8% for geography teachers in the last 5 years.
There are over 16,937 geography teachers currently employed in the United States.
There are 53,524 active geography teacher job openings in the US.
The average geography teacher salary is $60,469.
Are geography teacher jobs in demand?
Geography teacher job and salary trends over time
Geography teacher jobs over time
Geography teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,937 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 16,451 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 17,196 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 17,457 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 17,053 | 0.01% |
Average geography teacher salary over time
Geography teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60,469 | $29.07 | +2.0% |
| 2025 | $59,305 | $28.51 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | $58,016 | $27.89 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $56,910 | $27.36 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $55,814 | $26.83 | +1.5% |
Geography teacher jobs by state
Most common states for geography teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 127 | 18% |
| 2 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 470 | 16% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 175 | 13% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 716 | 12% |
| 5 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,407 | 11% |
| 6 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 989 | 11% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 601 | 11% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 591 | 11% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 680 | 10% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 214 | 10% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 109 | 10% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 93 | 10% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 169 | 9% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 789 | 8% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 668 | 8% |
| 16 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 524 | 8% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 234 | 8% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 904 | 7% |
| 19 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 672 | 7% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 42 | 7% |
Geography Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of geography teacher experts
Arlington Heights School District 25
Cal Poly Pomona
Colby-Sawyer College
University of Mary Washington
Horacio Ferriz Ph.D.
Professor of Applied Geology and HydrogeologyWhat will help Geography Teachers increase their earning potential?
Horacio Ferriz Ph.D.: Take some of your basic requirements for a Teaching Credential in your junior and senior years at college (Adolescent Psychology, Foundations of Secondary Education), and make sure to log some hours helping a local STEM teacher in the classroom.
What general advice would you give to a Geography Teacher?
Horacio Ferriz Ph.D.: We have a critical lack of good teachers in the STEM disciplines, so pursuing this path will practically guarantee you a teaching position anywhere you care to live. We also need good journalism in the STEM disciplines, because there is so much misinformation out there.
What Geography Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Horacio Ferriz Ph.D.: Hopefully you have it real clear in your mind that you want to pursue a career in Science Education, at the Elementary or Middle School level. If you have your sights on becoming a High School teacher you would be much better off pursuing a traditional major in Geology, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology. Physical Science would also be a good platform to pursue a career as a Science Journalist.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geography Teacher job market given the pandemic?
Brian Kaye: I anticipate that incoming staff will need to be flexible in adapting to an evolving educational environment. Teachers will not only need to be content experts with instructional strategies to motivate students but more than ever they will need to support the social-emotional needs of our students. Collaborative relationships with colleagues will also serve them well as we've learned that supporting one another through this crisis is what has allowed schools to thrive under these conditions.
What Geography Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jann Pataray-Ching, Ph.D.: In California, even if History/Social Science teachers are identified to teach ethnic studies, teachers should develop skills in teaching ethnic studies within their discipline at all grade levels. Teachers should always be aware of systemic racism that negatively affect BIPOC youth and look for ways to implement anti-racist pedagogy. Look for ways to implement anti-discriminatory pedagogy and processes for those who are marginalized in society like LGBTQIA+ youth, students with disabilities, English Learners, and others. Having Bilingual authorizations in a language needed in the district is also a strength. Develop knowledge and skills to address social and emotional learning in their students.
What general advice would you give to a Geography Teacher?
R. Todd Coy Ph.D.: Our world today is technologically driven, so it's essential to stay up with that. However, one shouldn't forget the importance of making personal connections with people. "Old fashioned" courtesies, like phone calls or thank you notes to follow up on interviews, etc., can go a long way in helping you stand out from the crowd of form-like emails.
Also, don't think that there is only one path to professional success. Be open to new experiences and flexible in exploring various ways to blend your individual interests and passions into what you want to do and then forge a path that allows you to do pursue those dreams.
Janine Davis Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Mary Washington
College of Education
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Geography Teachers?
Janine Davis Ph.D.: For our teacher education graduates, the impact of the pandemic will most likely work in their favor when it comes to finding jobs-the pandemic has led to many retirements, which will mean that we will need even more teachers to fill those empty positions. At the same time, the advent of increased virtual learning means that it will no longer be an option that teachers know and use technology, including teaching online and using learning management and data analysis systems-those skills will almost certainly be a non-negotiable for future teaching positions. Finally, I think that this event has highlighted the importance of working as part of a team of teachers and other school leaders.