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The differences between park managers and park interpretive specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a park manager and a park interpretive specialist. Additionally, a park interpretive specialist has an average salary of $43,411, which is higher than the $42,985 average annual salary of a park manager.
The top three skills for a park manager include payroll, human resources and public safety. The most important skills for a park interpretive specialist are interpretive programs, cultural history, and natural resources.
| Park Manager | Park Interpretive Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $42,985 | $43,411 |
| Hourly rate | $20.67 | $20.87 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 3,090 | 1,286 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Park Managers are responsible for overseeing the operations of parks. Their duties include organizing work schedules and assignments, supervising park maintenance activities, conduct park inspections, and assess revenue channels. They are also responsible for administering park programs, facilitating park constructions, and helping staff training and recruitment initiatives. Park Managers also assist in resource protection services as well as educational outreach operations. They collaborate and foster good relations with the government, local communities, and non-profits in managing natural resources.
A park interpretive specialist's role involves the interpretation and preparation of information for park exhibitions and tours. This role is responsible for conducting educational tours to explain the interrelationship between animals and plants in the park, environmental conservation education efforts, and acting as a guide on trails. Park interpretive specialists also prepare photos and videos for visitor education, pick out artifacts and specimens for exhibits, and liaise with other staff on schedules and themes for programs.
Park managers and park interpretive specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Park Manager | Park Interpretive Specialist | |
| Average salary | $42,985 | $43,411 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $61,000 | Between $23,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reno, NV | Dover, DE |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Apple | Student Conservation Association |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a park manager and a park interpretive specialist in terms of educational background:
| Park Manager | Park Interpretive Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Business | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between park managers' and park interpretive specialists' demographics:
| Park Manager | Park Interpretive Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.8% Female, 36.2% | Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 0.8% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 2.5% Asian, 1.4% White, 91.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |