Park Naturalists
SOC code 19-1031 · O*NET-SOC 19-1031.03 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Park Naturalists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$73,010
a year
Hourly
$35.10
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$77,130
$37.08 per hour
Middle 50%
$57,700 – $91,560
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$47,550 – $110,410
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
25,950
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Conservation Scientists”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $47,550
- $22.86/hr
- 25th percentile
- $57,700
- $27.74/hr
- Median percentile
- $73,010
- $35.10/hr
- 75th percentile
- $91,560
- $44.02/hr
- 90th percentile
- $110,410
- $53.08/hr
What does a park naturalist do?
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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 a park naturalist
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a park naturalist earn?
The national median is $73,010 a year. The full range runs from $47,550 at the 10th percentile to $110,410 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a park naturalist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- Biology4.5/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Education and Training4.0/5
- Geography3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- Communications and Media3.1/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making.