Also called: Protection Ranger, Park Ranger (LE)
A commissioned ranger who protects visitors and resources in national parks, from Yellowstone to the Everglades.
Protection rangers enforce laws, respond to car crashes and medical emergencies, fight wildfires, and run search-and-rescue missions on mountains and in canyons. Many start with summer seasonal jobs and the park ranger academy.
Federal GS pay; often includes park housing.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's helpful; Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program, EMT and other certifications.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Park and Recreation Management, Natural Resources, Criminal Justice, Environmental Science.
Growing slowly. Hiring depends on park budgets.
Low risk for 10 years. Cameras and apps help manage crowds; rescues, medical calls and protecting visitors stay human.
Classes: Biology, Health / first aid, PE / fitness, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3051.
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.