Range Managers

Range managers focus on the health and productivity of open lands. Their daily work involves gathering information, analyzing data, and monitoring natural surroundings to solve complex problems related to land use. They spend significant time communicating with supervisors, colleagues, and people outside their organization to coordinate land management efforts. Documenting information and making critical decisions about wildlife and livestock habitats are key parts of the job.

This profession attracts individuals with strong realistic interests who enjoy practical, hands-on tasks. Success in this field requires skills like active listening, critical thinking, speaking, and systems analysis. Range managers must possess a solid foundation of knowledge in biology, geography, mathematics, and law and government. They also need to understand administration and customer service. Important work styles for these professionals include dependability, integrity, attention to detail, and cooperation, as they must work carefully and collaboratively to protect natural resources.

Entering this field typically requires a bachelor's degree alongside several years of related work experience. Students preparing for this career often major in fields such as natural resources conservation and research, forestry, plant sciences, or ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. Other relevant majors include agricultural production operations, sustainability studies, environmental or natural resources management and policy, and wildlife and wildlands science and management.

While preparing for the field, individuals can seek professional credentials to demonstrate their expertise. Available certifications include the Certified Forage and Grassland Apprentice from the American Forage and Grassland Council, as well as the Certified Range Management Consultant offered by the Society for Range Management. Additionally, some states list specific licensing requirements for professionals performing this type of land management work.

The median annual pay for range managers is $73,010, though individual earnings vary. The lowest 10% of workers in this field earn less than $47,550, while the highest 10% earn more than $110,410. These wage statistics represent the broader conservation scientists group rather than range managers alone.

There are 25,950 people employed in this field. Employment is projected to grow by 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 2,100 job openings each year.