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Geography Professor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nwmissouri

Assistant Professor Geography

Maryville, MO · On-site

$64K/yr

Geography Assistant Professor of Geographic Information Science. Northwest Missouri State University. Maryville, MO . Responsible for teaching twelve hours per semester (fall and spring semesters ...

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$128.5K

How much do geography professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for geography professor in the United States is $63,181.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,000.00 and $71,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a geography professor do?

A Geography Professor teaches courses related to physical and human geography at the college or university level. They develop curricula, deliver lectures, guide student research, and often conduct their own academic research in various areas of geography. In addition to teaching, they may publish scholarly articles, attend conferences, and contribute to their academic community through service roles. Geography Professors help students understand topics like climate, landforms, population, and the relationship between humans and their environment. Their work often combines classroom instruction with practical fieldwork and analysis.

What does a geography professor do?

As a geography professor, your job is to teach geography classes at a college or university. In this role, you may help students learn more about the different types of geography within the country, help write a curriculum, and adjust lesson plans based on the unique learning needs of each student. Geography professors often participate in school activities and events, and you may personally oversee the education of graduate students or the daily work of assistant professors. You may also perform research when not teaching classes. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of this job sometimes involves writing books, recording videos, or providing input for news companies looking for expert explanations of recent geographic events.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a geography professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Geography Professor, you need an advanced degree in geography or a related field, a strong research background, and expertise in both physical and human geography. Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical software, and academic publishing platforms is typically required. Excellent communication, mentorship, and critical thinking skills help engage students and foster a collaborative learning environment. These competencies ensure effective teaching, impactful research, and meaningful contributions to the academic community.

What are some common challenges geography professors face when balancing research and teaching responsibilities?

Geography Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including designing and delivering engaging lectures, mentoring students, and conducting original research. One common challenge is finding time to pursue research projects and secure funding while meeting teaching obligations and departmental service commitments. Effective time management and collaboration with colleagues can help, but it’s important to set realistic goals and communicate openly with department leadership about workload. Universities typically offer support through research grants, teaching assistants, and sabbaticals to help manage these demands.

What is the difference between Geography Professor vs Geography Teacher?

AspectGeography ProfessorGeography Teacher
Required CredentialsDoctorate or Master’s degree in Geography or related fieldBachelor’s degree or teaching certification in Geography
Work EnvironmentColleges and universities, research settingsHigh schools, middle schools, or community education programs
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, academic researchSecondary education institutions, public or private schools
Common Search & Comparison IntentAcademic career, research opportunitiesClassroom teaching, student engagement

While both Geography Professors and Geography Teachers work in educational settings related to geography, Professors typically hold advanced degrees and teach at the college level, focusing on research and higher education. Teachers usually have a bachelor's degree and teaching certification, working in primary or secondary schools to instruct students directly. The roles differ mainly in educational level, credentials, and work environment, but both contribute to geography education.

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Cities with the most Geography Professor job openings:

What states have the most Geography Professor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Geography Professor jobs include:

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For Geography Professor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Geography Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Geography Professor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, and 23% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,181 per year, or $30.4 per hour.

Geospatial AI Geography Professor

General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Salem, MA

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

DO NOT APPLY ON MASSCAREERS. 

 Applications submitted on MassCareers will not be considered.

Applicants must apply on the Salem State Career site to be considered.

Overview

We seek a collaborative scholar with expertise in GeoAI (Geospatial Artificial Intelligence) to study climate science (meteorology, weather forecasting and prediction, extreme events, climate change and climate change modeling, etc.), climate resilience, and spatial data science to address pressing socio-environmental challenges for a temporary, full-time role beginning in Fall 2027. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in GeoAI and climate science with track record of working across disciplines on climate adaptation, environmental justice, and sustainability.

Salem State University is a place where academic excellence and a dedication to teaching come together. We embrace the uniqueness of our faculty, creating a collegial and collaborative environment where you can excel in your scholarly and teaching pursuits. Our commitment to civic engagement and the success of our students drives our work. We seek faculty who value continuous improvement and accountability. Join us and be part of a vibrant academic community that transforms lives and enriches the Commonwealth.

Duties and Responsibilities
Candidatesare required to perform duties in accordance with the MSCA contract. Duties include teaching, advising, scholarship and contributions to continuously improvethe department and university. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester. The position is subject to available funding. 
Depending on the student enrollment trends and the department needs, it is possible, but not guaranteed, to renew the temporary full time position in future academic years.

Required Qualifications

  • PhD in Geography or related field.
  • Demonstrated experience teaching undergraduate weather and climate courses or closely related physical geography courses.
  • Demonstrated experience applying machine learning or AI methods to environmental, climate, or geospatial datasets.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ability to develop an undergraduate GeoAI course to support majors and minors entering the workforce.
  • Experience mentoring students in applied geospatial research and/or utilizing it professional settings.
  • Salem State University seeks faculty and librarians whose teaching, scholarship, and service will contribute to student success, academic excellence, and the university's public mission. We welcome candidates with demonstrated ability to work effectively with students from varied backgrounds and to support an inclusive learning environment. Applicants may describe relevant accomplishments in teaching, scholarship/research, service, and community-engaged work.  

DO NOT APPLY ON MASSCAREERS. 

 Applications submitted on MassCareers will not be considered.

Applicants must apply on the Salem State Career site to be considered.

Working Location

This is an onsite position in Salem, MA with on-campus, in-person responsibilities.

Application Instructions

DO NOT APPLY ON MASSCAREERS.  

 Applications submitted on MassCareers will not be considered.

Please apply online the Salem State Career site and attach CV, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts.

Employment is contingent upon a completed background and CORI check satisfactory to the university.

This position is not eligible for H1B visa sponsorship.

EEO Statement

The university considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

ADA Statement

Salem State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. For accommodation information or requests please email eo-hr@salemstate.edu.

Recruitment Agencies

Salem State University does not partner with or accept candidates from outside staffing agencies. All hiring is managed directly by our internal Talent Acquisition team.

Apply