How To Become A Range Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a range manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Lincoln Larson Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a range manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.53 an hour? That's $44,773 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 1,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a range manager?

Dr. Lincoln Larson Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Website

The most important skills in natural resource management are communication skills (both speaking and writing), and that's unlikely to change at any point in the future. There's a common misunderstanding that natural resource management professions don't involve people, but humans are both the cause and the solution to every natural resource management challenge we face today - from climate change to human-wildlife conflict. If you can't effectively communicate with diverse audiences including scientists, practitioners, policy-makers, and the general public, you will struggle. Honing those communication skills earlier and often is the key to a successful career. Another skill that is increasingly important is data management and analysis, especially GIS and spatial data.

ScoreRange ManagerUS Average

Salary

3.5

Avg. Salary $44,773

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.07%

Asian 1.40%

Black or African American 0.73%

Hispanic or Latino 2.41%

Unknown 2.87%

White 91.52%

Gender

female 12.59%

male 87.41%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a range manager

Explore range manager education requirements

Most common range manager degrees

Bachelor's

55.1 %

Associate

25.2 %

High School Diploma

8.7 %

Start to develop specific range manager skills

Skills	Percentages
DOD	22.27%
Range Safety	21.34%
Fire Training	10.57%
Golf Carts	9.55%
Range Operations	9.10%

Complete relevant range manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New range managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a range manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real range manager resumes.

Research range manager duties and responsibilities

Manage sizable firearms and ammunition inventory.
Perform set ups on consoles to dye prints and tack runs.
Operate a dye range to dye cloth used in making sheets and pillow cases.
Entrust with the safety of all personnel handling and utilizing all weapons, ammunition and equipment.

Apply for range manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a range manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams