15 Occupations Where Knowledge of Geography Is Important

by Jacob Brown

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Geography, which involves knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life, belongs to the mathematics and science knowledge domain. Mathematics and science is knowledge of the history, theories, methods, and applications of the physical, biological, social, mathematical, and geography. Other knowledge attributes that belong in this group are

Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Psychology
Sociology and Anthropology

The occupations where geography play a major role are listed below.

Geographers
Geographers 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. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include computers and electronics, education and training, english language and sociology and anthropology.
Median Annual Salary: $72,800 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 26.24%

Cartographers and photogrammetrists
Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data. Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. They may also work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). They may also design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. The other knowledge domain that is considered important for this occupation is computers and electronics.
Median Annual Salary: $54,510 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 26.79%

Geoscientists
Geoscientists study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. They may also use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. They may also study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include computers and electronics, engineering and technology and mathematics.
Median Annual Salary: $82,500 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 17.52%

Surveyors
Surveyors make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include administration and management, computers and electronics, design, education and training, engineering and technology, law and government and mathematics.
Median Annual Salary: $54,880 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 14.88%

Landscape architects
Landscape architects plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include administration and management, building and construction, computers and electronics, customer and personal service, design, engineering and technology and sales and marketing.
Median Annual Salary: $62,090 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 19.68%

Hydrologists
Hydrologists research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include biology, chemistry, computers and electronics, customer and personal service, design, engineering and technology, english language, mathematics and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $75,690 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 18.25%

Atmospheric and space scientists
Atmospheric and space scientists investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include computers and electronics, customer and personal service, mathematics and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $87,780 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 14.68%

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. They may also report forest fires and weather conditions. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include administration and management, customer and personal service, education and training, english language, law and government and public safety and security.
Median Annual Salary: $34,910 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.42%

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, National, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots. The other knowledge domain that is considered important for this occupation is transportation.
Median Annual Salary: $103,210 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.37%

Soil and plant Scientists
Soil and plant Scientists conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. They may also classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include biology, chemistry, computers and electronics, education and training, english language, food production and mathematics.
Median Annual Salary: $57,340 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 15.48%

Urban and regional planners
Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include administration and management, customer and personal service and english language.
Median Annual Salary: $63,040 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 19.02%

Zoologists and wildlife biologists
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. They may also specialize in wildlife research and management. They may also collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include biology, clerical, education and training and english language.
Median Annual Salary: $57,430 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 12.81%

Travel agents
Travel agents plan and sell transportation and accommodations for travel agency customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. They may also also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. They may also assist in resolving clients' travel problems.
Median Annual Salary: $31,870

Forest and conservation technicians
Forest and conservation technicians provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. They may also compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts, under the direction of foresters; or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation, fire prevention and suppression. They may also assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
Median Annual Salary: $33,390 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.63%

Motorboat operators
Motorboat operators operate small motor-driven boats. They may also assist in navigational activities. The other knowledge domain that is considered important for this occupation is customer and personal service.
Median Annual Salary: $38,510 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.05%