Study the nature and use of areas of the 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.
U.S. Workers
1,380
Median Salary
$97,200
10-Year Growth
-3.1%
Annual Openings
100
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
11 of 12 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
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.
AI: Fully automatable - Given existing GIS, remote‑sensing, and AI tools, creating and modifying maps, graphs, and diagrams using cartographic principles can be automated end‑to‑end from suitable data inputs.
Write and present reports of research findings.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can draft, format, and deliver reports and presentations (slides and narration) with minimal human input.
Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can locate, query, and retrieve existing geographic information databases and datasets via APIs and public repositories when access is available.
Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
AI: Partial - AI can analyze large spatial datasets and identify patterns across scales, but lacks full domain judgment and field-validation capabilities.
Gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
AI: Partial - AI can aggregate and process censuses, satellite imagery, and existing maps but cannot independently perform in-person field observations or deploy sensors.
Teach geography.
AI: Partial - AI can create lesson plans, deliver instructional content, and tutor students, but cannot fully replace in-person pedagogy, assessment nuance, and classroom management.
Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
AI: Partial - AI can synthesize economic, political, and cultural datasets and literature for regional study but cannot substitute for immersive ethnographic fieldwork and nuanced human interpretation.
Collect data on physical characteristics of specified areas, such as geological formations, climates, and vegetation, using surveying or meteorological equipment.
AI: Partial - AI can automate measurements via autonomous sensors and drones for some physical data collection but cannot universally perform all surveying or meteorological equipment deployment and maintenance.
Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
AI: Partial - AI can perform many GIS analyses, automate map production, and provide user support, but complex system integration, policy, and governance tasks still require human experts.
Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.
AI: Partial - AI can develop GIS software and automate many operational workflows but cannot fully perform physical installation, hardware maintenance, and equipment repairs.
Provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning.
AI: Partial - AI can perform advanced spatial analysis, market-location modeling, hazard mapping, and produce planning recommendations, but cannot fully replace on-site fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, and nuanced local judgement required for consulting.
Conduct field work at outdoor sites.
AI: Not automatable - AI lacks autonomous embodied capability to carry out the full range of physical, logistical, and interpersonal tasks required for outdoor fieldwork.