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The differences between park rangers and police officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police officer has an average salary of $52,638, 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 police officer are patrol, public safety, and law enforcement agencies.
| Park Ranger | Police Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $40,801 | $52,638 |
| Hourly rate | $19.62 | $25.31 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,380 | 116,287 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 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.
Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They ensure that people in their assigned community follow the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Those assigned to police stations are responsible for maintaining administrative matters as well, aside from maintaining peace and order. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.
Park rangers and police officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Park Ranger | Police Officer | |
| Average salary | $40,801 | $52,638 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $72,000 | Between $38,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Alaska |
| Best paying company | National Park Foundation | Icma-rc |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a park ranger and a police officer in terms of educational background:
| Park Ranger | Police Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | SUNY at Binghamton | Pennsylvania State University |
Here are the differences between park rangers' and police officers' demographics:
| Park Ranger | Police Officer | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8% | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% |
| 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, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 7% |