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Job outlook for wildlife division managers in the United States
Are wildlife division manager jobs in demand?
Wildlife division manager job and salary trends over time
Wildlife division manager jobs over time
Wildlife division manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 233 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 251 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 281 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 261 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 259 | 0.00% |
Average wildlife division manager salary over time
Wildlife division manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $69,672 | $33.50 | +4.9% |
| 2025 | $66,437 | $31.94 | --0.2% |
| 2024 | $66,595 | $32.02 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $65,408 | $31.45 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $63,550 | $30.55 | +1.4% |
Wildlife division manager jobs by state
Most common states for wildlife division managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 29 | 4% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 24 | 3% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 180 | 2% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 118 | 2% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 118 | 1% |
| 6 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 83 | 1% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 57 | 1% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 52 | 1% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 38 | 1% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 30 | 1% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 28 | 1% |
| 12 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 26 | 1% |
| 13 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 19 | 1% |
| 14 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 18 | 1% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 15 | 1% |
| 16 | Delaware | 961,939 | 11 | 1% |
| 17 | Vermont | 623,657 | 9 | 1% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 9 | 1% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 8 | 1% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 6 | 1% |
Wildlife Division Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of wildlife division manager experts
University of Rhode Island
The Wildlife Society
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Wildlife Division Manager job market given the pandemic?
Scott McWilliams: Given the restrictions posed by the pandemic, many research projects that involved intensive fieldwork have been canceled. For example, almost all regularly scheduled, annual arctic and subarctic research projects were canceled during 2020 because they involved bringing groups of researchers to remote field camps to conduct projects over the summer. For the same reasons, many field-focused research projects - regardless of where they were taking place - were canceled or scaled back. However, these cancellations and the consequent loss of jobs (grad students, undergraduate students, technicians, research assistants) should be temporary.
What is more important to the job market, over the longer-term (4+ yrs), is the change in administrations in Washington. Many of the federal agencies who hire wildlife biologists and environmental scientists will now be able to do so (compared to the last four years). In addition, the general trend of hiring in this area by private consultants and industry will also continue, simply because the need is there.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Wildlife Division Managers in the next 3-5 years?
Scott McWilliams: New satellite and cellular technology and the miniaturization of electronics is revolutionizing our ability to track wildlife. Lidar and other remote-sensing of habitat are allowing us to relate movements of wildlife to resource selection at much finer scales. Automated drone-based surveys are revolutionizing how we assess the distribution and abundance of wildlife, and innovations in computer speed and software programs are allowing us to analyze this spatial information in new and better ways.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Wildlife Division Managers in the next 5 years?
Scott McWilliams: Given the general public's interest in wildlife and the natural world, and the need to live on a healthy planet, the fields of environmental science and wildlife biology and ecology will continue to grow.
What experience really stands out on Wildlife Division Manager resumes?
Jamila Blake: You may want to be a wildlife biologist, wildlife educator, consultant, or any number of career options. So the experience listed on your resume really depends on which discipline you are interested in pursuing, within the wildlife field, but hands-on experience will be valuable no matter what. This could be through internships, assistantship, volunteer work, or workshop, just something that shows you are working to build up your skillset and apply your knowledge of wildlife.
How do you envision technology impacting Wildlife Division Managers in the next 5 years?
Jamila Blake: Technology is a vital aspect of the wildlife field, and it will only continue to become more integrated into the work of professionals over the next five years. Emerging technologies will enhance professionals' abilities to monitor and protect species, conduct genetics research, and reduce wildlife diseases. Use of tools like live cams, genetic engineering techniques, GIS, artificial intelligence, and bioacoustics technology will enable efficient and effective contributions to wildlife management and conservation.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Wildlife Division Managers?
Jamila Blake: Impacts of the coronavirus will definitely be seen in the lack of opportunities for in-person interactions, training, and work opportunities, but it is certainly not all bad. While students may have been hoping to gain some field experience, remote or modified positions have been developed, and a number of online learning opportunities have been enhanced to continue students' skill-building. Many organizations have been able to adapt to virtual workplaces, events, and professional development offerings - such as conferences, workshops, mentorship connections, and networking events. This year of adjusting and learning will likely enable the wildlife field to be more flexible with remote working options.