Park Ranger
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
Also called: Environmental Education Specialist · Environmental Educator · Interpretive Naturalist · Interpretive Park Ranger · Natural Resource Educator · Naturalist · Park Activities Coordinator · Park Guide
O*NET-SOC 19-1031.03 (Park Naturalists)
Park Ranger salary
Wages for park naturalists across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $35.10.
Park Ranger pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $53,650 | $79,810 | $132,060 |
| Texas | $53,440 | $68,620 | $92,320 |
| Florida | $37,110 | $51,130 | $98,360 |
| New York | $46,580 | $76,990 | $115,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,560 | $61,480 | $93,100 |
| Illinois | $42,020 | $69,590 | $117,590 |
| Ohio | $44,070 | $63,160 | $99,780 |
| Georgia | $49,230 | $69,240 | $137,450 |
| North Carolina | $47,190 | $64,460 | $111,740 |
| Michigan | $44,680 | $63,500 | $109,300 |
Park Ranger job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 27,700 jobs in 2025 to 29,200 in 2035 (5% change).
- About 2,100 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Average.
How to become a park ranger
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- No on-the-job training
Education level of current workers
- Bachelor's degree71.6%
- Master's degree25.2%
- Doctoral or professional degree3.2%
Related training programs
- Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
- Conservation Biology
- Ecology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other
- Environmental Biology
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General
- Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
- Forest Sciences and Biology
- Forestry, General
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Land Use Planning and Management/Development
What does a park ranger do?
Common tasks
- Provide care for park program animals.
- Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
- Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
- Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
- Plan and organize public events at the park.
- Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
- Train staff and volunteers on park programs.
- Plan, organize and direct activities of seasonal staff members.
- Develop environmental educational programs and curricula for schools.
- Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.
Most important skills
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Understanding people's reactions.
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Service Orientation
- Looking for ways to help people.
- Monitoring
- Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Park Ranger certifications
The certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- American Forage and Grassland Council · Advanced
Park Ranger jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more natural resources & parks jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Natural Resources & Parks jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
Related careers
- Tour Guides and Escorts
- Forestry Technician
- Recreation Workers
- Range Managers
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Conservation Scientists
- Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Forester
- Environmental Scientist
- Historians
More natural resources & parks careers
This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Park Naturalists. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.