What is a Geography Professor?
Geography Professor Definition Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Life As a Geography Professor
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as urbanization, environmental systems, and cultural geography.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Evaluate and grade students’ class work, assignments, and papers.
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Things a Geography Professor Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Geography Professors say are important on the job.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Related Job Titles
- Geography Head
- Geology Professor
- College Professor
- Human Geography Faculty Member
- Geomatics Professor
Job Opportunities for Geography Professors
There were about 5,000 jobs for Geography Professor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 400 new jobs for Geography Professor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Geography Professor are Oregon, Colorado, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Wisconsin, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Geography Professor Salary
Geography Professors make between $42,480 and $148,550 a year.

Geography Professors who work in Florida, Arizona, or Pennsylvania, make the highest salaries.
How much do Geography Professors make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $78,650 |
Arizona | $104,400 |
Colorado | $78,570 |
Florida | $98,420 |
Georgia | $86,370 |
Illinois | $82,080 |
Kentucky | $69,190 |
Maryland | $98,670 |
Massachusetts | $99,810 |
Michigan | $84,300 |
Minnesota | $76,540 |
Missouri | $82,790 |
Nevada | $86,410 |
New Jersey | $109,020 |
New York | $90,390 |
North Carolina | $84,100 |
Ohio | $99,940 |
Oklahoma | $60,830 |
Oregon | $86,550 |
Pennsylvania | $92,050 |
Tennessee | $74,220 |
Texas | $88,560 |
Utah | $73,890 |
Washington | $73,370 |
West Virginia | $51,640 |
Wisconsin | $75,520 |
What Tools do Geography Professors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Geography Professors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Calendar and scheduling software
- ESRI ArcView
- Learning management system LMS
- Blackboard Learn
- Course management system software
- Desire2Learn
How do I Become a Geography Professor?
What kind of Geography Professor requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Geography Professor?

Who Employs Geography Professors?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those who work as a Geography Professor sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Couleur via public domain (CC0)
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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