Park Naturalists
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
Also called: Camp Ranger, Environmental Education Specialist, Environmental Educator, Interpretation Park Ranger, Interpretive Naturalist, Interpretive Park Ranger
Median pay
$73,010
Pay for the broader BLS group “Conservation Scientists”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$47,550 – $110,410
People employed
25,950
Whole BLS group
Holland code
SRI
Social · Realistic · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 4.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 5.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 6.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
Park Naturalists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Conservation Scientists”.
What park naturalists do
- 01Provide care for park program animals.
- 02Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
- 03Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
- 04Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
- 05Plan and organize public events at the park.
- 06Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Geography
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from park naturalists
- Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary75% · —
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education71% · —
- Recreational Therapists71% · —
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education71% · —
- Recreation Workers70% · —
Change into park naturalists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Farm and Home Management Educators72% · $60,220
- Exercise Physiologists67% · $59,460
- Acupuncturists65% · $76,040
- Massage Therapists64% · $58,450
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary62% · $78,620
Majors that lead here
- Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
- Range Science and Management
- Natural Resources/Conservation, General
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General
- Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
- Land Use Planning and Management/Development
- Forestry, General
- Forest Sciences and Biology
- Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
- Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
- Ecology
- Environmental Biology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.