Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Science and research / 19-3092.00

Geographers

Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

US jobs
1,400
Median wage
$102,040 a year
Job family
Science and research

Can agents do the work of geographers?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Science and research: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)

Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.

Evidence: CORE-Bench, declared solved.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 20%Collect environmental or biological samplesNot measured
  • 17%Research historical or social issuesNot measured
  • 14%Design computer or information systems or applicationsNot measured
  • 10%Create visual designs or displaysNot measured
  • 10%Teach academic or vocational subjectsNot measured
  • 9%Present research or technical informationNot measured
  • 9%Gather information from physical or electronic sourcesNot measured
  • 6%Advise others on business or operational mattersNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in science and research, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

  • CORE-Benchby Princeton UniversityTask level · CORE-Bench-Hard accuracy (public test set)
    95.5%Claude Code + Claude Opus 4.5 (after manual regrading) · 3 Dec 2025
    Solved

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Create and modify maps, graphs, or diagrams, using geographical information software and related equipment, and principles of cartography, such as coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.
  • Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
  • Teach geography.
  • Write and present reports of research findings.
  • Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
  • Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
  • Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
  • Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.
  • Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
  • Collect data on physical characteristics of specified areas, such as geological formations, climates, and vegetation, using surveying or meteorological equipment.
  • Conduct field work at outdoor sites.
  • Provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning.
Other job titles for this occupation (15)

Earth Observations Scientist · Geographer · GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator) · GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer) · GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist) · Scientist · Biogeographer · Cultural Resources Specialist · Economic Geographer · Geomorphologist · Glaciologist · Imagery Analyst · Natural Resources Specialist · Physical Geographer · Political Geographer