How to become a Park Naturalist
Official title: Park Naturalists
Also called: Environmental Education Specialist, Environmental Educator, Interpretive Naturalist, Interpretive Park Ranger, Natural Resource Educator, Naturalist, Park Activities Coordinator, Park Guide, Park Interpretive Specialist, Park Ranger
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
Main tasks
- Provide care for park program animals.
- Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
- Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
- Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
- Plan and organize public events at the park.
- Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
- Train staff and volunteers on park programs.
- Plan, organize and direct activities of seasonal staff members.
How to become one
Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
- College: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 26 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $73,010 a year The middle half earn $57,700 to $91,560.
- About 27,700 people work in this job now, and about 29,200 are projected by 2035. (+5.3%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Park Naturalist?
Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.
How much does a Park Naturalist earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $73,010 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $57,700 to $91,560.
Is a Park Naturalist a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 27,700 to about 29,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Park Naturalist?
Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Park Naturalist?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.