Post job

Horticulturist vs park ranger

The differences between horticulturists and park rangers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a horticulturist and a park ranger. Additionally, a park ranger has an average salary of $40,801, which is higher than the $36,583 average annual salary of a horticulturist.

The top three skills for a horticulturist include GRASS, irrigation systems and horticulture. The most important skills for a park ranger are patrol, customer service, and CPR.

Horticulturist vs park ranger overview

HorticulturistPark Ranger
Yearly salary$36,583$40,801
Hourly rate$17.59$19.62
Growth rate8%5%
Number of jobs3272,380
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4042
Years of experience22

What does a horticulturist do?

The primary role of a horticulturist is to care, maintain, and cultivate plant propagation. Horticulturists may work in various environments with plants such as garden centers or arboretum. These professionals use scientific knowledge about plant cultivation and propagation. They provide technical information to farmers and flower and vegetable growers. Part of their job is to perform disease and pest experiments and investigations with improved plant varieties with greater disease resistance. Also, they may assist in the regeneration of degraded land in the mining industry.

What does a park ranger do?

A park ranger is responsible for maintaining and protecting the natural ecosystem landscape and coordinating with environmental organizations to develop strategies and programs to stabilize the condition of the lands. Park rangers conduct data analysis and research to improve agricultural integrity by utilizing adequate resources through scientific testing and investigations. They monitor the activities of landowners and other businesses that may pose risks to the environment. A park ranger should have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as extensive knowledge of environmental programs and conservation.

Horticulturist vs park ranger salary

Horticulturists and park rangers have different pay scales, as shown below.

HorticulturistPark Ranger
Average salary$36,583$40,801
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $60,000Between $22,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityWellesley, MANew York, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutDelaware
Best paying companyStanford Health CareNational Park Foundation
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between horticulturist and park ranger education

There are a few differences between a horticulturist and a park ranger in terms of educational background:

HorticulturistPark Ranger
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorPlant SciencesCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCornell UniversitySUNY at Binghamton

Horticulturist vs park ranger demographics

Here are the differences between horticulturists' and park rangers' demographics:

HorticulturistPark Ranger
Average age4042
Gender ratioMale, 59.4% Female, 40.6%Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 9.1% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 0.5% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 2.2% Asian, 1.4% White, 91.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage19%8%

Differences between horticulturist and park ranger duties and responsibilities

Horticulturist example responsibilities.

  • Manage payroll processing and all aspects of accounts receivable and payable.
  • Operate snow plows, snow blowers and large salt sprayers.
  • Maintain all flower beds, landscape areas, and turf grass areas.
  • Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers.
  • Maintain inventory and help with Quickbooks.
  • Provide assistance with loading and unloading pigs.
  • Show more

Park ranger example responsibilities.

  • Lead ranger-guided canoe, kayak, and bike tours as well as nature walks and hikes.
  • Manage rental property for RV property which include maintaining logs for permanent tenants and for visiting tenants.
  • Manage emergency calls, medical incidents, and SAR operations, including coordinating responses with local agencies and other park departments.
  • Manage and staff park entrance station facilitating camping reservations and assisting day use visitors.
  • Evaluate students on leadership, time management, organization and ability to accomplish missions.
  • Maintain POS and ticketing system.
  • Show more

Horticulturist vs park ranger skills

Common horticulturist skills
  • GRASS, 13%
  • Irrigation Systems, 9%
  • Horticulture, 9%
  • Grounds Maintenance, 7%
  • Mowing, 6%
  • Plant Material, 4%
Common park ranger skills
  • Patrol, 20%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Public Safety, 5%
  • Interpretive Programs, 5%
  • Rangers, 5%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs