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Park Ranger

Overview and Key Facts

park ranger and tourist
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$67,950
Job Growth
Job Growth
3.40%
(US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
29,500

What Do They Do?

A park ranger could...

 
forrest fire
Spot a forest fire and help put it out.
injured kangaroo
Transport injured animals to wildlife clinics for treatment.
ranger at break check station before steep mountain pass
Enforce federal laws and park regulations in a park.
tour guide
Give a guided tour of a national park.
 
forrest fire injured kangaroo ranger at break check station before steep mountain pass tour guide

Overview Listen to this section

Park rangers are the law enforcement officials of our state and national parks. They protect and preserve parklands, keeping park resources safe from people who might try to damage them, deliberately or through neglect, and keeping people safe from dangers within the park. To achieve this goal, park rangers work in a wide variety of positions, including education and interpretation for park visitors, emergency dispatch, firefighting, maintenance, law enforcement, search and rescue, and administration. There is a large global shortage of park rangers in developing countries.
In this video, you will see how urban park ranger Sarah Aucoin tries to educate people in New York City about nature, and give them a sense of connection to their environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyVgU7DK6Yw

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Park Ranger?


  1. Speaking: ?
  2. Active Listening: ?
  3. Reading Comprehension: ?
  4. Social Perceptiveness: ?
  5. Writing: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Park Ranger might do:
  • Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
  • Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
  • Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.
  • Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
  • Plan and organize public events at the park.
  • Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
  • Plan, organize and direct activities of seasonal staff members.
  • Perform emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.
  • Train staff on park programs.
  • Develop environmental educational programs and curricula for schools.
  • Construct historical, scientific, and nature visitor-center displays.
  • Research stories regarding the area's natural history or environment.
  • Prepare brochures and write newspaper articles.
  • Compile and maintain official park photographic and information files.
  • Take photographs and motion pictures for use in lectures and publications and to develop displays.
  • Plan and develop audio-visual devices for public programs.
  • Perform routine maintenance on park structures.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Park Ranger Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Park Ranger jobs (3.40%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Park Ranger

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Park rangers are usually required to have a bachelor's degree; however, high school graduates are sometimes eligible for ranger jobs after three years of progressively responsible experience in conservation work or park operations. Interested individuals should study botany, zoology, geology, and ecology in college. Other useful subjects include park management, forestry, and the social sciences. Candidates with master's degrees in these fields often have an advantage over other applicants who are seeking jobs as park rangers.

Companies That Hire Park Rangers

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Read this article to meet many of the park rangers who work in the South Carolina state park system.
... the biggest raccoon in the world sprang out of nowhere and was sailing through the air at eye level with me. I couldn’t move as I was both in awe and terrified of a 30+ pound raccoon that was within inches of my face... 
Jake Anthony, Park Ranger

Nature of the Work

Park rangers teach people to respect the delicate natural balance of our national and state parks and forests. They are employed by the National Park Service, which is an agency of the U.S. federal government, and by state agencies. Rangers work throughout the country preserving the natural environment for future generations. They protect these areas by enforcing park rules and regulations, preventing forest fires, helping to maintain an ecological balance, and seeing that visitors plan campsites wisely. Park rangers are skilled campers with a great deal of knowledge about botany and wildlife. Perhaps the greatest danger to our parks is the danger of overuse: rangers watch and regulate the number of visitors to parks. They also provide information regarding park use and points of interest, issue fire permits, and collect fees.

In addition to protecting natural resources, park rangers protect people. They may rescue a rock climber who has fallen or chase away a bear that is threatening campers. In addition, rangers act as educators by teaching campers how to use camping equipment, taking visitors on nature walks, setting up exhibits, and lecturing on historic topics. Park rangers also help to train new rangers.

Some rangers specialize in a certain type of patrol. There are backcountry rangers, who load up their mules with supplies and spend weeks at a time in isolated, undeveloped areas checking on hikers and watching for trails that need repairing. Snow rangers patrol their area on skis and are skilled in first aid, which includes applying splints to injured skiers. Some rangers make their rounds by boat or canoe. Many rangers are assisted by park aides.

Law enforcement is among the many duties of a park ranger. Some national park rangers carry guns. Park rangers sometimes recover stolen cars or quiet rowdy visitors. They are also in charge of investigating any suspected illegal activity committed in national parks.

Work Environment

Most rangers work outdoors in all kinds of weather, and their work is physically strenuous. They generally work long hours during the summer and somewhat shorter hours during the winter. Rangers in the National Park Service may have to spend time alone in isolated areas. They can expect to be assigned to several different parts of the country during their careers and receive no assurance that they will remain in a particular area. Despite these obstacles, most park rangers derive a great deal of satisfaction from their work.

More Information

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Additional Resources

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