Park Naturalists in Maryland
Thinking about a career as a Park Naturalists in Maryland? Here’s what the data says. Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering. Excludes “Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists” (19-1023) and “Foresters” (19-1032).
What do Park Naturalists Make in Maryland?
For a park naturalists working in Maryland, the median annual wage is $75,350 per year (or about $36.23/hour).Annual wages span from $50,600 at the 10th percentile to $121,390 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| 25th percentile | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Median (50th) | $75,350 | $36.23 |
| 75th percentile | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| 90th percentile | $121,390 | $58.36 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Maryland compared to the national average — is 1.34, meaning that park naturalists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, park naturalists earn a median of $76,516 per year ($36.79/hour), lower than the Maryland median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 42,669 park naturalists in the U.S.. In Maryland alone, approximately 610 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 390 park naturalists.
Top Maryland Metros for Park Naturalists
The largest metro-area employers of park naturalists in Maryland.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 250 | $73,650 |
Top States for Park Naturalists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most park naturalists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 2,070 |
| California | 1,940 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,410 |
| Colorado | 1,220 |
| Wisconsin | 1,010 |
| Washington | 940 |
| Oregon | 880 |
| New York | 750 |
| Illinois | 730 |
| Massachusetts | 730 |
| Florida | 720 |
| Virginia | 720 |
| Ohio | 700 |
| Minnesota | 690 |
| Michigan | 630 |
| Maryland | 610 |
| Iowa | 590 |
| North Carolina | 570 |
| New Jersey | 530 |
| Missouri | 520 |
Highest-Paying States for Park Naturalists
Where park naturalists earn the most: park naturalists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $86,170 |
| California | $81,620 |
| Washington | $81,220 |
| Colorado | $80,240 |
| Nevada | $79,790 |
| North Dakota | $79,790 |
| Connecticut | $77,410 |
| Utah | $77,380 |
| Minnesota | $77,180 |
| Wyoming | $77,020 |
Skills
The most important park naturalists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for park naturalists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Park Naturalists typically:
- Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
- Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
- Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.
- Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
- Plan and organize public events at the park.
- Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
- Plan, organize and direct activities of seasonal staff members.
- Perform emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.
- Train staff on park programs.
- Develop environmental educational programs and curricula for schools.
- Construct historical, scientific, and nature visitor-center displays.
- Research stories regarding the area's natural history or environment.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Working with Computers
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Thinking Creatively
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Training and Teaching Others
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Wildlife Management
- Natural Resource Management
- Forestry
- Sustainability Science
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Ecology & Systematics Biology
- Agricultural Production
- Plant Sciences
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to park naturalists include:
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
- Conservation Scientists
- Range Managers
- Foresters
Also Known As
Camp Ranger, Environmental Education Specialist, Environmental Educator, Interpretation Park Ranger, Interpretive Naturalist, National Park Ranger, Natural Resource Educator, Naturalist, Park Activities Coordinator, Park Aide, Park Attendant, Park Guide, Park Interpretive Ranger, Park Interpretive Specialist, Park Naturalist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-1031.03
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