Park Ranger

Location: Bloomington

Step-by-step guide to becoming a Park Ranger (and salary data)

Get paid to help protect the nation’s parks, visitors, and wildlife by becoming a national park ranger.

Enjoy the great outdoors and get paid for it. As a park ranger, you’ll protect, educate, and perform a variety of other nature-related duties. If you love being outside and want to be part of conservation efforts, this law enforcement career may be a perfect fit.

5 steps to become a park ranger

Determine what type of ranger you want to be.

Park rangers come in three categories:

• National park rangers
• State park rangers
• County park rangers

They can work in law‑enforcement, fire protection, or conservation and research roles. This decision will guide the education you need.

Earn the appropriate degree.

While an associate degree may be sufficient in some agencies, most positions require a 4‑year bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as:

• Forestry
• Conservation management
• Botany
• Geology
• Parks and recreation management

For management or administrative roles a master’s degree may be required.

Gain work experience or an internship.

Seasonal or summer entry‑level jobs, volunteer programs, and student internships through the National Park Service or the Student Conservation Association provide hands‑on experience and help you decide on a career path.

Apply for jobs.

Federal, state, and county agencies have different application processes. Federal positions can be found on USAJobs.gov; state and county programs are listed on the respective Department of Wildlife or Department of Parks and Recreation websites.

Pass the necessary requirements.

Accepted applicants must complete interviews, provide proof of citizenship and transcripts, and pass physical agility tests, a drug test, and a psychological evaluation. Upon conditional offer, on‑the‑job training—often including weapons training—is required because park rangers are considered law‑enforcement officers at the federal and state levels.

Job duties:

What does a park ranger do?

• Prepare exhibits and informational material about the park
• Develop conservation programs
• Lead tours and nature walks
• Enforce park regulations
• Search for lost hikers and rescue stranded visitors
• Supervise fire‑fighting crews in larger parks
• Study wildlife behavior and monitor air and water quality

Park ranger education requirements

A minimum of an associate’s degree is generally required, though some positions require a bachelor’s degree. Common coursework includes:

• Natural sciences
• Law enforcement fundamentals
• Recreation management

For advanced study, bachelor’s and master’s programs are available in:

• Environmental sciences
• Criminal justice

Park ranger salary and job outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics, the median national annual salary for park rangers is $68,180. Actual salaries may vary by specialization, location, years of experience, and other factors.

Projected employment growth for park rangers is modest, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1% through 2034.

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