Natural Resources & Conservation

Programs in environmental science, forestry, wildlife management, and conservation. Covers natural resource policy, fisheries, parks management, and sustainability science.

Common careers: Park Ranger, Environmental Scientist, Forester, Wildlife Biologist, Conservation Officer, Sustainability Analyst

1,423Programs
895Schools
$36,236Median Earnings
$33,069$49,260Middle 50% Earnings
$23,494Avg Debt at Graduation

Specializations

Top Earning Programs

Highest median earnings one year after graduation

1
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Webster University, MO
$81,807
2
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Yale University, CT
$75,985
3
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$75,666
4
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(bachelors)Columbia Southern University, AL
$74,546
5
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)American University, DC
$73,531
6
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Harvard University, MA
$72,276
7
Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, VA
$71,291
8
Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)Duke University, NC
$69,905
9
Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)University of Denver, CO
$69,861
10
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)University of San Francisco, CA
$69,495
11
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(bachelors)Bentley University, MA
$68,600
12
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)The University of Texas at Arlington, TX
$67,876
13
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Duke University, NC
$67,458
14
Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)Utah State University, UT
$66,552
15
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA
$64,831
16
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Arizona State University Digital Immersion, AZ
$64,193
17
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ
$64,193
18
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)California State Polytechnic University2 campuses
$63,768
19
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)American Public University System, WV
$63,243
20
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$62,493
21
Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)Montana State University, MT
$62,487
22
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)California State University6 campuses
$62,270
23
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Stanford University, CA
$62,270
24
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Southern California Institute of Architecture, CA
$62,270
25
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Chapman University, CA
$62,270

Career Paths

Occupations linked to natural resources & conservation programs

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Climate Change Policy Analysts

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Restoration Planners

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Ecologists

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Coroners

Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Top States

States with the most natural resources & conservation programs

NY102 programs$37,484 avg
CA99 programs$44,827 avg
TX79 programs$42,165 avg
PA74 programs$37,067 avg
OH68 programs$37,195 avg
FL53 programs$39,493 avg
MA46 programs$41,139 avg
IL45 programs$35,805 avg
NC41 programs$37,057 avg
WI40 programs$37,488 avg
MI38 programs$35,374 avg
WA37 programs$39,417 avg
IN33 programs$38,103 avg
MN33 programs$38,854 avg
CT30 programs$42,045 avg
Natural Resources & Conservation Programs — Earnings by School | degree.fyi