- Salary statistics
- Natural geographer
Natural geographer
41 100 - 52 100 kr / month
Women earn 97% of what men do.
Administration, ekonomi
Salary progression Natural geographer
What does a geographer do? – Job tasks and work environment
A geographer works to understand and analyze the interaction between natural processes and human impact on landscapes. Job tasks often include collecting and interpreting geographic data, fieldwork to examine land, water, climate, and ecosystems, as well as report writing and presenting results. Common work environments include offices, laboratories, and outdoor settings during field studies. Geographers are often employed by government agencies, universities, consulting firms, or research institutes and participate in projects related to environmental protection, planning, conservation, or climate change.
Salary development over time
The salary of a geographer has shown a stable and positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month, which increased to 43 300 SEK in 2023. The largest increase occurred between 2023 and 2024, when the salary rose to 46 000 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 6.2% over one year. This trend reflects a growing demand for expertise in environmental and climate areas, as well as a higher level of education among professionals. Salary increases can partly be explained by increased project funding within the environmental sector and a rising need for qualified climate impact analysis.
Geographer salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 46 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 41,100 SEK/month (men), 42,000 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 52,100 SEK/month (men), 50,700 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 277 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 97% of what men do (men 46 600 SEK, women 45 300 SEK)
- Regional differences: Limited data available – variations may occur depending on labor market and projects
Education and qualifications
To work as a geographer, a university degree in geography, physical geography, or related fields is usually required. The education provides a broad foundation in environmental science, mapping, GIS, and statistics. Practical experience through field studies or internships is often advantageous and provides important insights for working life.
- Formal degree: Bachelor's (3 years) or master's degree (5 years) in geography/physical geography
- Certifications: GIS skills or environmental courses can be advantageous
- Internships: Field studies and internships are common
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for higher education and mathematics and science at upper secondary level
- Tips for choosing: Select specialization based on interest, e.g., hydrology, climatology, or ecology
Geographers often have the opportunity to combine advanced technology, such as satellite data and GIS, with traditional fieldwork. This mix makes the profession particularly attractive for those who want to work analytically and be outdoors.
Common benefits and compensations
Geographers are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and opportunities for skill development. In addition to base salary, some employers offer extra vacation, pension contributions, and allowances for fieldwork or travel, especially for longer projects outside the regular workplace.
Competition and challenges
The job market for geographers is relatively narrow, which means competition for attractive positions can be high, especially in academia and government agencies. However, a growing focus on environmental and climate issues has led to more project-based employment and consulting assignments. Challenges in the profession include requirements for technical skills in GIS and data analysis, as well as the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams. For those seeking advancement, further education or specialization within a particular area is often necessary.
Tips for aspiring geographers
To succeed as a geographer, it is beneficial to have a strong curiosity about natural processes and an analytical ability to interpret complex data. Developing technical skills in GIS and statistics increases employability, as does actively seeking internships or summer jobs in the environmental sector. Precision and perseverance are important qualities, especially during fieldwork that requires patience and methodical work. Networking with researchers and industry professionals can open doors to interesting projects, and the ability to communicate results clearly is crucial. A flexible approach and willingness to adapt to new technologies or work methods make it easier to meet changing labor market demands.
Key facts about geographers
- Education level: Bachelor's degree, often master's in physical geography
- Work environment: Combination of office, laboratory, and fieldwork
- Job market: 758 job openings in the profession (2024)
- Technical requirements: GIS, data analysis, report writing
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a geographer can advance to project manager, environmental analysis specialist, or consultant responsible for larger investigations. Some choose to pursue doctoral studies or university teaching. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate continued stable demand, especially within environmental projects and climate adaptation. Opportunities for employment increase for those who combine geography with technical skills, such as GIS or programming. Regional differences may occur, with metropolitan areas and regions with a strong environmental profile offering the most positions.
Frequently asked questions about geographers
- What does a geographer earn?
- The average salary is 46 000 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 277 SEK. - What are the salary differences between men and women?
- Women earn 97% of men's salary (men 46 600 SEK, women 45 300 SEK). - What education is required to become a geographer?
- A bachelor's degree in geography or physical geography is most common, often supplemented with a master's degree and technical courses. - How competitive is the profession?
- The competition is relatively high, especially for positions in government agencies and universities, but project-based employment and consulting assignments are increasing. - What tasks does a geographer perform?
- Tasks include fieldwork, data analysis, report writing, and participation in environmental and planning projects. - Are there regional salary differences?
- Variations may occur depending on labor market and projects, but detailed data is limited.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38500 kr | 38600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 101% | 45600 kr | 45800 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 47200 kr | 47300 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 47300 kr | 47300 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 45900 kr | 46000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40300 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 46000 kr | 46300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 47600 kr | 47700 kr |
| 55-64 | 92% | 49500 kr | 49500 kr |
| 65-68 | 96% | 48400 kr | 48400 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 46600 kr | 46700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40300 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 46000 kr | 46300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 47600 kr | 47700 kr |
| 55-64 | 92% | 49500 kr | 49500 kr |
| 65-68 | 96% | 48400 kr | 48400 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 46600 kr | 46700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 101% | 45400 kr | 45700 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 46900 kr | 47000 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 49200 kr | 49200 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 46500 kr | 46600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39400 kr | 39500 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 46000 kr | 46400 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48100 kr | 48100 kr |
| 55-64 | 92% | 51400 kr | 51500 kr |
| 65-68 | 96% | 49300 kr | 49300 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 47100 kr | 47300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39400 kr | 39500 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 46000 kr | 46400 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48100 kr | 48100 kr |
| 55-64 | 92% | 51400 kr | 51500 kr |
| 65-68 | 96% | 49300 kr | 49300 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 47100 kr | 47300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 45800 kr | 45800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 45800 kr | 45800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 101% | 45900 kr | 46000 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 47500 kr | 47600 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 44700 kr | 44700 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 45200 kr | 45300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40800 kr | 40800 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 46100 kr | 46200 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 47300 kr | 47400 kr |
| 55-64 | 92% | 47500 kr | 47500 kr |
| 65-68 | 96% | 47200 kr | 47200 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 46100 kr | 46200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40800 kr | 40800 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 46100 kr | 46200 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 47300 kr | 47400 kr |
| 55-64 | 92% | 47500 kr | 47500 kr |
| 65-68 | 96% | 47200 kr | 47200 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 46100 kr | 46200 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Natural geographer has the SSYK code 2623, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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