Geography Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Geography Teachers Make?
Geography Teachers earn a median annual salary of $86,730 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $49,990 at the 10th percentile to $164,350 at the 90th percentile — a range of $114,360. The highest-paying state is California at $162,050.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,990 |
| 25th percentile | $66,400 |
| Median (50th) | $86,730 |
| 75th percentile | $120,220 |
| 90th percentile | $164,350 |
Geography Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $162,050 |
| Oregon | $124,060 |
| Vermont | $103,950 |
| Maryland | $100,110 |
| South Carolina | $99,030 |
| Massachusetts | $98,220 |
| New York | $97,960 |
| Texas | $95,780 |
| Minnesota | $94,120 |
| Illinois | $87,410 |
| Connecticut | $86,830 |
| Ohio | $85,720 |
| New Mexico | $85,460 |
| Virginia | $85,400 |
| Iowa | $85,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,350 |
| Mississippi | $83,570 |
| Wisconsin | $82,720 |
| Utah | $81,940 |
| Washington | $81,910 |
| Kentucky | $81,690 |
| Indiana | $81,600 |
| Missouri | $81,370 |
| North Carolina | $81,210 |
| Oklahoma | $80,910 |
| Georgia | $80,200 |
| New Jersey | $78,220 |
| Colorado | $77,430 |
| Arizona | $77,200 |
| Michigan | $77,180 |
| Tennessee | $76,450 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Geography Teachers
Geography Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$49,990 – $66,400 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$86,730 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$120,220 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $164,350+ |
How to Earn More as a Geography Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Geography Teachers in California earn $162,050 — $75,320 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($120,220) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Geography Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Geography Teacherthis career | $86,730 |
| Geographer | $97,200 |
| Mathematical Science Teacher | $79,350 |
| Biological Science Teacher | $83,460 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher | $100,830 |
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SOC: 25-1064.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.