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Natural resources instructor salary
Average natural resources instructor salary
$61,082
Understanding the Natural Resources Instructor Salary
Natural Resources Instructors play a crucial role in shaping environmental education. According to recent data, the average salary for these professionals is $61,082 annually, translating to about $29 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographical location, level of education, and years of experience.
Salary Variations by State
Instructors in states like California and New York often see higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for environmental education. For instance, the highest paying cities for Natural Resources Instructors include Los Angeles and San Francisco, where salaries can exceed the state average. Conversely, instructors in less populated areas may earn lower wages.
Potential for Salary Growth
As these instructors gain experience, their earning potential typically increases. Additionally, pursuing advanced degrees can open doors to higher-paying positions within educational institutions or government agencies focused on natural resource management. Overall, becoming a Natural Resources Instructor offers a rewarding career path with opportunities for growth and impactful work in environmental education.
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Where can a Natural Resources Instructor earn more?
Average natural resources instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for natural resources instructors are Delaware, Maryland, and Connecticut. The lowest average natural resources instructor salary states are Iowa, Washington, and Maine.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for natural resources instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | $84,282 | $40.52 |
| 2 | South Carolina | $79,998 | $38.46 |
| 3 | Nevada | $76,416 | $36.74 |
| 4 | California | $78,963 | $37.96 |
| 5 | Ohio | $76,501 | $36.78 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $79,416 | $38.18 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $74,858 | $35.99 |
| 8 | Maryland | $83,969 | $40.37 |
| 9 | Louisiana | $78,425 | $37.70 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $80,429 | $38.67 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $74,361 | $35.75 |
| 12 | Mississippi | $76,443 | $36.75 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $81,954 | $39.40 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $74,356 | $35.75 |
| 15 | Montana | $66,199 | $31.83 |
| 16 | Colorado | $68,966 | $33.16 |
| 17 | District of Columbia | $84,067 | $40.42 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $77,807 | $37.41 |
| 19 | Alaska | $65,887 | $31.68 |
| 20 | Vermont | $70,342 | $33.82 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $65,250 | $31.37 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $61,533 | $29.58 |
| 23 | Utah | $70,039 | $33.67 |
| 24 | Nebraska | $69,237 | $33.29 |
| 25 | Missouri | $71,855 | $34.55 |
| 26 | Virginia | $63,573 | $30.56 |
| 27 | Georgia | $58,228 | $27.99 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $62,319 | $29.96 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $66,895 | $32.16 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $62,795 | $30.19 |
| 31 | New York | $62,205 | $29.91 |
| 32 | Texas | $58,269 | $28.01 |
| 33 | Michigan | $56,297 | $27.07 |
| 34 | Arizona | $57,356 | $27.57 |
| 35 | Florida | $60,649 | $29.16 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $56,426 | $27.13 |
| 37 | Oregon | $54,189 | $26.05 |
| 38 | Alabama | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $50,674 | $24.36 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $55,503 | $26.68 |
| 41 | Illinois | $54,021 | $25.97 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $55,657 | $26.76 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $53,070 | $25.51 |
| 44 | Iowa | $52,428 | $25.21 |
| 45 | Kansas | $53,455 | $25.70 |
| 46 | Washington | $52,108 | $25.05 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $54,700 | $26.30 |
| 48 | Indiana | $55,379 | $26.62 |
| 49 | Maine | $51,891 | $24.95 |
| 50 | Minnesota | $50,613 | $24.33 |
| 51 | Idaho | $51,630 | $24.82 |
Highest paying cities for natural resources instructors
The highest-paying cities for natural resources instructors are Santa Rosa, CA, Cincinnati, OH, and Fort Collins, CO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| 2 | Cincinnati, OH | $75,264 | $36.18 |
| 3 | Fort Collins, CO | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| 4 | Alexandria, VA | $63,192 | $30.38 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $52,243 | $25.12 |
Natural resources instructor salary details
A natural resources instructor's salary ranges from $36,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $100,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a natural resources instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $100,000 | $8,333 | $48 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| Average | $61,082 | $5,090 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
Top companies hiring natural resources instructors now:
Which companies pay natural resources instructors the most?
Natural resources instructor salaries at Kern Community College District and Americorps are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average natural resources instructor salary at companies like Indian Health Service and Associated Recreation Council are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kern Community College District | $118,553 | $57.00 |
| 2 | Americorps | $61,029 | $29.34 |
| 3 | Indian Health Service | $60,358 | $29.02 |
| 4 | Associated Recreation Council | $50,428 | $24.24 |
| 5 | Tarleton State University | $49,888 | $23.98 |
| 6 | Cincinnati Public Schools | $36,323 | $17.46 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Natural resources instructor salary trends
The average natural resources instructor salary has risen by $4,941 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average natural resources instructor earned $56,141 annually, but today, they earn $61,082 a year. That works out to a 2% change in pay for natural resources instructors over the last decade.
Compare natural resources instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average natural resources instructor salary over time
Compare natural resources instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Natural resources instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $61,100 | $29.37 | +2.2% |
| 2025 | $59,700 | $28.71 | -1.7% |
| 2024 | $60,700 | $29.20 | -0.6% |
| 2023 | $61,100 | $29.37 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $60,000 | $28.86 | -2.8% |
Recently added natural resources instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Association for Institutional Research In The Upper Midwest | Natural Resources Adjunct Instructor | Appleton, WI | 06/30/2025 | $93,915 |
| YMCA | Nature Preschool Enrichment Instructor | Round Lake, IL | 06/21/2025 | $35,479 |
| YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago | Nature Preschool Enrichment Instructor | Round Lake, IL | 06/21/2025 | $35,479 |
| Minnesota State | Natural Resources Technology Instructor | Brainerd, MN | 05/28/2025 | $43,067 |
| Aza | Nature Preschool Instructor | Columbia, SC | 05/10/2025 | $26,338 |
| South Dakota Board of Regents | Instructor-Natural Resource Management | Brookings, SD | 04/13/2025 | $60,000 |
| SB Museum of Natural History | Nature Adventures Camp Instructor-Museum | Santa Barbara, CA | 04/06/2025 | $43,410 |
| Kentucky Community and Technical Colleges | Instructor-Environmental Science Technology (EST)/Natural Sciences | Lexington, MN | 04/03/2025 | $49,176 |
| YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago | Nature Preschool Enrichment Instructor | Downers Grove, IL | 03/29/2025 | $35,479 |
| YMCA | Nature Preschool Enrichment Instructor | Downers Grove, IL | 03/28/2025 | $35,479 |
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