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Interpretive naturalist vs park naturalist

The differences between interpretive naturalists and park naturalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an interpretive naturalist and a park naturalist. Additionally, an interpretive naturalist has an average salary of $43,341, which is higher than the $40,030 average annual salary of a park naturalist.

The top three skills for an interpretive naturalist include natural history, interpretive programs and public speaking. The most important skills for a park naturalist are natural history, cultural history, and hand tools.

Interpretive naturalist vs park naturalist overview

Interpretive NaturalistPark Naturalist
Yearly salary$43,341$40,030
Hourly rate$20.84$19.25
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs122831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Interpretive naturalist vs park naturalist salary

Interpretive naturalists and park naturalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Interpretive NaturalistPark Naturalist
Average salary$43,341$40,030
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $77,000Between $22,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between interpretive naturalist and park naturalist education

There are a few differences between an interpretive naturalist and a park naturalist in terms of educational background:

Interpretive NaturalistPark Naturalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorBiologyEnvironmental Science
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley

Interpretive naturalist vs park naturalist demographics

Here are the differences between interpretive naturalists' and park naturalists' demographics:

Interpretive NaturalistPark Naturalist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 37.7% Female, 62.3%Male, 45.4% Female, 54.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 0.8% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 2.5% Asian, 1.4% White, 91.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 0.7% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 2.4% Asian, 1.4% White, 91.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between interpretive naturalist and park naturalist duties and responsibilities

Interpretive naturalist example responsibilities.

  • Lead tour groups on both bicycles and kayaks, man small retail/rental outlet as only staff person.
  • Perform GPS field mapping of Canada thistle, process GPS data, and used GIS for analysis and mapping.
  • Communicate and coordinate with DEP employees and volunteers.

Park naturalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and staff park entrance station facilitating camping reservations and assisting day use visitors.
  • Construct new wildlife exhibits and care for existing exhibits that include live-native snakes and birds of prey.
  • Process computerize campsite reservations, register overnight campers by computer or self-registration systems and prepare relate reports with ORMS system.
  • Guide tours through the aquarium and rainforest pyramids.

Interpretive naturalist vs park naturalist skills

Common interpretive naturalist skills
  • Natural History, 20%
  • Interpretive Programs, 18%
  • Public Speaking, 14%
  • Natural Resources, 8%
  • DNR, 8%
  • Environmental Education Programs, 5%
Common park naturalist skills
  • Natural History, 21%
  • Cultural History, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Trail Maintenance, 9%
  • Nature Programs, 9%
  • Natural Resources, 5%

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