Interpretive Park Ranger

Also called: Naturalist, Park Ranger

Teaches visitors about the wildlife, history, and nature of a park.

A day in the life

Leads an evening campfire talk at a national park, guides a bird walk at dawn, staffs the visitor center, and answers 'are there bears here?' 50 times a day.

Pay over a career

Starting

$32k

Typical

$45k

High

$62k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in natural resources, biology, or history; many start seasonal.

Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Environmental Science, Biology, Park & Recreation Management.

Outlook

Growing about average. Competitive; many seasonal jobs.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. Apps and audio guides supplement tours, but leading live hikes and campfire talks stays human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Biology, US History, Speech & debate, AP Environmental Science.

• Join a park's Junior Ranger or teen volunteer program
• Work as a nature-camp counselor
• Join a Youth Conservation Corps summer crew

Official data: O*NET occupation 25-3021.

More Wildlife & Conservation Biology careers

• Wildlife Veterinarian
• Research Wildlife Biologist
• Endangered Species Program Manager
• Conservation Organization Director
• Wildlife Biologist
• Fish & Game Warden
• Wildlife Forensic Scientist
• Ornithologist
• Wildlife Refuge Manager
• Wildlife GIS Analyst
• Wildlife Damage Management Specialist
• Wildlife Technician
• Wildlife Removal Specialist
• Hunting & Fishing Guide
• Wildlife Photographer
• Wildlife Special Agent
• Wildlife Disease Biologist
• Bat Biologist
• Wildlife Capture Specialist
• Camera Trap Technician
• Bear Management Technician
• Game Bird Farmer
• Chronic Wasting Disease Sampling Technician

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.