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The differences between park rangers 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 ranger and a park interpretive specialist. Additionally, a park interpretive specialist has an average salary of $43,411, which is higher than the $40,801 average annual salary of a park ranger.
The top three skills for a park ranger include patrol, customer service and CPR. The most important skills for a park interpretive specialist are interpretive programs, cultural history, and natural resources.
| Park Ranger | Park Interpretive Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $40,801 | $43,411 |
| Hourly rate | $19.62 | $20.87 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 2,380 | 1,286 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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 rangers and park interpretive specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Park Ranger | Park Interpretive Specialist | |
| Average salary | $40,801 | $43,411 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $72,000 | Between $23,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Dover, DE |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Delaware |
| Best paying company | National Park Foundation | Student Conservation Association |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a park ranger and a park interpretive specialist in terms of educational background:
| Park Ranger | Park Interpretive Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | SUNY at Binghamton | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between park rangers' and park interpretive specialists' demographics:
| Park Ranger | Park Interpretive Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8% | Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |