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Science

Park Naturalists

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

Median salary (BLS)

$73,010

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$48k – $110k

Job outlook

+3% (about average)

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 3 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $119,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Park Naturalists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Plan my path to this →

Typical progression

  1. Park Naturalists Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Park Naturalists

    Entry / Junior

    $47,550

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Park Naturalists

    Established

    $73,010

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Park Naturalists

    Senior

    $91,710

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Science

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.