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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 19-3092 Geographers
Study nature and use of areas of 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.
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Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
OJT: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Tasks: Write and present reports of research findings. 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. Gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps. Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales. Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information (GIS) computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras. Provide consulting services in fields including resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning. Teach geography. Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors. Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population. Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases. Conduct fieldwork at outdoor sites. Collect data on physical characteristics of specified areas, such as geological formations, climates, and vegetation, using surveying or meteorological equipment.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Excellent
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $33.84   Entry $70,382.00
Mean $38.51   Mean $80,088.00
Experience $40.84 Experience $84,951.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
10100 
Related Occupations: Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:
Agricultural Engineers
Animal Scientists
Astronomers
Biostatisticians
Computer Programmers
Energy Engineers
Geneticists
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Logistics Engineers
Soil and Plant Scientists
Auburn University
Jacksonville State University
Samford University
University of Alabama
University of North Alabama
University of South Alabama
Occupational Videos
19-3092.00 Geographers