Geographer Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Geographers in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$92,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$44.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $102,040
State Rank
#6 of 7
40 employed here

How much does a Geographer make in Illinois?

A Geographer working in Illinois earns a median salary of $92,640 per year, or about $44.54 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $102,040 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $63,330 while the top 10% make $125,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,150 and $105,370 a year.

Geographer salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$63,330$30.45
25th percentile (early career)$64,150$30.84
50th percentile (median)$92,640$44.54
75th percentile (experienced)$105,370$50.66
90th percentile (top earners)$125,650$60.41

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 6th out of 7 states and territories for Geographer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$114,920
2California$114,460
3Washington$112,260
4Virginia$108,020
5Missouri$102,040

Working as a Geographer in Illinois

Nationally, about 1,000 people work as Geographers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($92,640) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Geographer make in Illinois?
The median Geographer salary in Illinois is $92,640 per year, or about $44.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,330 at the entry level to $125,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Geographers about 9% less than the national median of $102,040. Illinois ranks 6th out of 7 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Geographers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $92,640 a year. About 40 Geographers are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Geographer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.