Also called: Wilderness Ranger
Patrols remote wilderness on foot, checking permits and helping hikers.
Backcountry rangers spend days on trails, teaching visitors to protect wildlife, clearing trails, and responding to injuries far from roads.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 2 years after high school. Degree in natural resources helpful; wilderness medical training.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Parks and Recreation.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Permits move online and sensors count visitors, but patrolling trails, clearing them and helping injured hikers is boots-on-the-ground work.
Classes: AP Environmental Science, Biology, Health/first aid, PE/fitness.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-9099.
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.