Prevailing Wage for Geographers
Prevailing wage for Geographers (SOC 19-3092) is set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data. Whether your title reads Earth Observations Scientist, GIS Geographer, or GIS Coordinator, the same four experience levels apply, and the wage floor shifts meaningfully depending on where the worksite is located.
See all jobs for GeographersLook up your work address
Entry-level professionals with limited experience performing routine tasks under close supervision, typically with a bachelor's degree and no specialized post-graduation experience in geographic analysis, remote sensing, or spatial data work.
Qualified professionals with some independent judgment, moderate experience, and a working command of GIS platforms or field research methods. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Geographers sponsored through H-1B or green card petitions.
Experienced professionals who exercise significant independent judgment, lead components of research projects, and bring specialized expertise in areas such as cartographic analysis, geospatial modeling, or physical geography research.
Fully competent senior professionals who direct complex geographic research programs, supervise other scientists, and set technical direction. Often applies to principal scientists, program leads, or senior GIS architects.
Prevailing Wage for Geographers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for Geographers
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Geographers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Geographers
Watch for GIS Coordinator title misclassification
Employers sometimes file GIS Coordinator roles under IT or engineering SOC codes rather than SOC 19-3092, which can set a different wage floor. Confirm the certified LCA lists this SOC before accepting any sponsored offer.
Prioritize Washington DC over lower-paying metros
The Washington DC metro posts the highest prevailing wages for this occupation by a wide margin, driven by dense federal agency and defense contractor hiring. Austin sits at the bottom of the metro range, with L4 wages well below the national median.
Exclude sign-on bonuses from your compliance check
Federal agencies and contractors often pair modest base salaries with sign-on payments. DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against the regular base wage only; sign-on bonuses and one-time relocation payments do not count toward the floor.
Search Migrate Mate for employers with Geographers sponsorship history
Federal contractors and government-adjacent research firms dominate historical H-1B filings for SOC 19-3092. Migrate Mate shows which employers have actually sponsored Geographers before, so you can focus on organizations with a proven track record.
Jobs for Geographers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for GeographersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 19-3092.00 alongside Geographers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Earth Observations Scientist Prevailing Wage
Earth Observations Scientist Prevailing Wage
Earth Observations Scientist positions fall under SOC 19-3092.00 (Geographers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator) Prevailing Wage
GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-3092.00 (Geographers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer) Prevailing Wage
GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer) Prevailing Wage
GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 19-3092.00 (Geographers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist) Prevailing Wage
GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist) Prevailing Wage
GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist) positions fall under SOC 19-3092.00 (Geographers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Scientist Prevailing Wage
Scientist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Scientist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-3092.00 (Geographers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Geographers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate prevailing wages by occupation and geography. For SOC 19-3092, wages are derived from employer-reported pay for Geographers in each surveyed area. Employers submit this data to OFLC when filing a Labor Condition Application, and OFLC certifies that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable floor.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
DOL assigns Level 1 to entry-level positions with routine, closely supervised work. Level 2 covers qualified professionals with moderate independent judgment, and it is where most sponsored Geographer roles are filed. Level 3 applies to experienced specialists exercising significant autonomy. Level 4 covers senior or principal roles directing research programs. Your level should match the actual duties and supervision described in the job, not just your years on a resume.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much by city?
DOL calculates wages using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so each metro area reflects local employer pay data rather than a national average. The LCA must list the actual worksite, and OFLC applies that metro's wage floor. Washington DC has a high concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors employing Geographers, pushing local survey wages well above the national median, while smaller metros like Austin reflect thinner local markets.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify a valid LCA if the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage for that location and level. OFLC will not certify the LCA, blocking the H-1B or PERM petition. If a certified LCA exists but the actual pay is lower, the employer faces back-wage liability and potential debarment. USCIS also reviews LCA compliance during adjudication, so a below-floor offer creates risk at multiple stages.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 19-3092 by state or metropolitan area and select the wage level that matches the offered position. Cross-check against O*NET to confirm the job duties align with the Geographers occupation definition. If you want to see which employers have historically sponsored this role in specific cities, Migrate Mate filters sponsored Geographer listings by location so you can identify active hiring markets.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Geographers right now.
Search Jobs for Geographers