Range Managers
SOC code 19-1031 · O*NET-SOC 19-1031.02 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Range Managers 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 range manager do?
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Tailor conservation plans to landowners' goals, such as livestock support, wildlife, or recreation.
- Study grazing patterns to determine number and kind of livestock that can be most profitably grazed and to determine the best grazing seasons.
- Maintain soil stability and vegetation for non-grazing uses, such as wildlife habitats and outdoor recreation.
- Manage forage resources through fire, herbicide use, or revegetation to maintain a sustainable yield from the land.
- Mediate agreements among rangeland users and preservationists as to appropriate land use and management.
- Study rangeland management practices and research range problems to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
- Offer advice to rangeland users on water management, forage production methods, and control of brush.
- Coordinate with federal land managers and other agencies and organizations to manage and protect rangelands.
How to become a range manager
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 75% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
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.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree75%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree8%
- Master's Degree8%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)4%
Common questions
How much does a range manager 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 range manager 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
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Writing3.4/5
Knowledge areas
- Biology4.3/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Law and Government3.6/5
- Geography3.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.3/5
- Administration and Management3.2/5
- Mathematics3.1/5
- Computers and Electronics2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation.