Park Naturalists

Park naturalists focus on teaching and interacting with the public to share the wonders of local, state, and national parks. On a typical day, these professionals plan and lead educational presentations, answer questions from visitors, and collaborate with park staff. This role requires strong social interests, as naturalists spend much of their time performing for audiences and building positive relationships with community members. They must creatively translate complex scientific and historical information so that visitors of all ages can understand it.

To succeed in this field, individuals need excellent speaking, active listening, and social perceptiveness skills. They must be dependable, cooperative, and driven by intellectual curiosity. Naturalists draw on a wide range of knowledge, including biology, geography, history, archeology, and customer service. They also utilize skills in public safety, communications, and teaching to ensure that park programs are both educational and safe for everyone involved.

Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree along with several years of experience in a related field. Students preparing for this path often major in subjects such as natural resources conservation and research, ecology, forestry, sustainability studies, or wildlife and wildlands science and management. Other relevant college majors include plant sciences, agricultural production operations, and environmental management.

While not always mandatory, obtaining professional credentials can help candidates stand out. The National Association for Interpretation offers relevant certifications for this field, including the Certified Heritage Interpreter, Certified Interpretive Planner, and Certified Interpretive Trainer credentials.

The median annual pay for park naturalists is $73,010, though this figure represents the broader federal group of conservation scientists. Earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $47,550 and the highest 10% earning more than $110,410. There are 25,950 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 5.3%, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in about 2,100 job openings each year.