Park Naturalists

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

$69,060
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+3% projected 2024โ€“2034
Bachelor's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Park naturalists serve as the bridge between protected natural areas and the visiting public, designing and leading educational programs that help people understand and appreciate the environment around them. They spend their days developing interpretive talks, guided nature walks, and hands-on activities that explain local ecosystems, wildlife behavior, geological features, and conservation challenges. Much of their work happens outdoors, whether they're leading a group along a forest trail to identify bird species, explaining the formation of rock layers at a scenic overlook, or demonstrating survival adaptations of native plants. They also work indoors preparing educational materials, creating exhibit displays for visitor centers, and coordinating special events like junior ranger programs or nighttime astronomy sessions.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA
$185,874
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)University of Washington-Seattle Campus, WA
$150,114
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)Harvard University, MA
$142,377
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(doctoral)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$91,570
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$87,746
Sustainability Studies(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$86,469
Sustainability Studies(masters)Presidio Graduate School, CA
$82,953
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Webster University, MO
$81,807
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(doctoral)University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
$80,276
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$78,660
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Yale University, CT
$75,985
Sustainability Studies(masters)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$75,703
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$75,666
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(bachelors)Columbia Southern University, AL
$74,546
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(grad-cert)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$74,417
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(grad-cert)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$73,603
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)American University, DC
$73,531
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)George Washington University, DC
$72,959
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Harvard University, MA
$72,276
Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, VA
$71,291
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)Boston University, MA
$70,479
Sustainability Studies(masters)CUNY City College, NY
$70,051
Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)Duke University, NC
$69,905
Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)University of Denver, CO
$69,861
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)University of San Francisco, CA
$69,495

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