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Park ranger vs natural resource educator

The differences between park rangers and natural resource educators 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 ranger and a natural resource educator. Additionally, a park ranger has an average salary of $40,801, which is higher than the $39,792 average annual salary of a natural resource educator.

The top three skills for a park ranger include patrol, customer service and CPR. The most important skills for a natural resource educator are education programs, public speaking, and water quality.

Park ranger vs natural resource educator overview

Park RangerNatural Resource Educator
Yearly salary$40,801$39,792
Hourly rate$19.62$19.13
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs2,38014,191
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Park ranger vs natural resource educator salary

Park rangers and natural resource educators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Park RangerNatural Resource Educator
Average salary$40,801$39,792
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $72,000Between $28,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NY-
Highest paying stateDelaware-
Best paying companyNational Park Foundation-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between park ranger and natural resource educator education

There are a few differences between a park ranger and a natural resource educator in terms of educational background:

Park RangerNatural Resource Educator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBiology
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonUniversity of California, Berkeley

Park ranger vs natural resource educator demographics

Here are the differences between park rangers' and natural resource educators' demographics:

Park RangerNatural Resource Educator
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 66.2% Female, 33.8%Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between park ranger and natural resource educator duties and responsibilities

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

Natural resource educator example responsibilities.

  • Manage revolving caseload of students with IEP team including initials, transfer placements, manifestation determinations.
  • Design PowerPoint presentations enhancing educational environment.
  • Care for center animals including snakes, turtles, mammals, and fish.
  • Handle endangered and protect wildlife, and potentially harmful wildlife such as venomous snakes and alligators.
  • Design PowerPoint presentations enhancing educational environment.

Park ranger vs natural resource educator skills

Common park ranger skills
  • Patrol, 20%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Public Safety, 5%
  • Interpretive Programs, 5%
  • Rangers, 5%
Common natural resource educator skills
  • Education Programs, 37%
  • Public Speaking, 25%
  • Water Quality, 18%
  • Public Schools, 9%
  • DNR, 7%
  • Front Desk, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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