How to Become a Park Ranger | State and Federal Park Ranger Education
Park rangers are essential to creating a safe, fun, and enriching park-going experience, whether they work in law enforcement or visitor services. Learn how to become a park ranger in your local, state, or national park.
Explore Opportunities with Local, State or National Parks
Park rangers work for municipal and county parks departments, state park systems, and the National Park Service (NPS). Qualification begins with meeting the prospective employer’s educational and experience requirements, with additional academy training required for NPS park ranger positions.
Earn a Degree in a Relevant Major
The National Park Service does not specify a specific academic major, but many aspiring park rangers choose to pursue degrees in conservation, botany, ecology, forestry, earth science, and anthropology, to name a few.
Seek out Seasonal Park Ranger Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering and seasonal work are excellent ways for aspiring park rangers to gain valuable experience. Entry-level seasonal jobs with the National Park Service (NPS) are ideal for college students, as are seasonal maintenance and laborer jobs.
Is it hard to get a job as a park ranger?
So, what makes becoming a park ranger so difficult? It’s not as simple as you might think. While a college degree is highly desirable, it is not required for all park service positions; however, the better your education, the better your chances of landing a park ranger job.
Do park rangers get paid well?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, park rangers in the United States earn an average yearly salary of $38,660, with the top 10% earning around $84,980. Salaries for park rangers vary depending on the state and wildlife department in which they work.
How do I become a park ranger without a degree?
Even seasonal maintenance and laborer jobs, which are generally entry-level and do not require a college degree, provide exposure to the park ranger work environment. Volunteering and seasonal work both introduce you to the profession and provide you with valuable professional connections.
What qualifications do you need to be a Ranger?
What does it take to become a Park Ranger?
- Obtain a tertiary qualification in environmental management, conservation and land management, or natural resources while studying.
Is a park ranger a good career?
Many park rangers begin as volunteers or seasonal employees and work their way up to permanent positions, and we frequently work at multiple parks throughout our careers. The Pathways program assists students in finding temporary positions so that they can try out different jobs.
What state pays Park Rangers the most?
1. The state of Alaska
| Total Park Ranger Jobs: | 20 |
|---|---|
| Average Annual Salary: | $62,121 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $40,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $95,000 |
Do park rangers have guns?
A park ranger has a variety of responsibilities, but most of them revolve around enforcing park regulations unless they come across illegal activity in the park. They do, however, carry firearms and are trained to defend themselves.
What’s the difference between a park ranger and a forest ranger?
The National Park Service (NPS), a division of the Department of Interior, employs park rangers, while the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), a division of the Department of Agriculture, employs forest rangers. National parks and national forests are frequently located on adjacent lands.
How much does a Yellowstone park ranger make?
Salaries for Park Rangers in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
| Job Title | Location | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| US Department of the Interior Park Ranger salaries – 2 salaries reported | Yellowstone National Park, WY | $19/hr |
| National Park Service Park Ranger Interpretation salaries – 1 salaries reported | Yellowstone National Park, WY | $17/hr |
Can park rangers have tattoos?
Tattoos, jewelry, pins, buttons, fingernail polish, body piercing, and elective body modifications are examples of personal adornments not specifically listed in the official uniform item list found in Section 2 of Subpart A of this manual.
Do Park Rangers get drug tested?
Other requirements include: For federal employment, you must be between the ages of 21 and 37, have no domestic violence convictions, and pass a drug test.
What are the benefits of being a park ranger?
Park rangers are entitled to paid holidays and vacations, as well as health insurance and other benefits normally reserved for federal or state employees, and many parks provide housing for their rangers.
How long does it take to become a Ranger?
Army Ranger NCOs are experts at leading soldiers on difficult missions, and they need extensive training to do so. Over the course of two months, Ranger students train to exhaustion, pushing their minds and bodies to their limits.
What do park rangers do on a daily basis?
Patrolling the park grounds, informing guests on safety rules and regulations, answering questions, giving tours, assisting with a search and rescue mission, and working in the visitors’ center are examples of these responsibilities.
What skills do you need to be a park ranger?
You should be passionate about environmental conservation, dedicated to preserving the environment and ensuring the safety of visitors, and have excellent communication skills, strong leadership skills, and a love of the outdoors to be a successful Park Ranger.