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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Park Naturalists

Median Salary
68,750
Job Outlook
+5%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of conservation scientists and foresters is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 3,900 openings for conservation scientists and foresters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$51,540

10%

$68,750

Median

$100,320

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    49%

  • Associate's degree

    25%

  • High school

    10%

  • Master's degree

    10%

  • Some college

    2%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    1%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Geography and Environmental Studies
  • Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General
  • Forest Sciences and Biology
  • Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
  • Conservation Biology
  • Sustainability Studies
  • Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
  • Environmental Biology
  • Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Forestry, General
  • Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
  • Range Science and Management
  • Ecology
  • Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other
  • Land Use Planning and Management/Development

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    Mid

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Geography
  • Biology

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

  • Level Of Competition

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.