🛡️ Public Safety
↑ 6% growth · Faster than average
Park Ranger / Conservation Officer
Park rangers protect natural and cultural resources while helping the public enjoy national and state parks — one of the most beloved government careers. Rangers in law enforcement roles carry firearms and have arrest authority; interpretive rangers focus on education and visitor programs.
$42,060
Median Salary
22K
US Jobs
2–4 years
Training
$5,000–$30,000
Typical Cost
💰 Salary & Earning Potential
Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.
📈 Job Outlook
6%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Faster than average
22K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
NPS/State Park Service Training Academy + LE Commission
Required Credential
NPS/State Park Service Training Academy + LE Commission (law enforcement)
🎓 Training & Education
Typical Program
Natural Resources or Park Administration Degree
Program Length
2–4 years
Typical Tuition
$5,000–$30,000
Work Setting
National parks, state parks, forests, wildlife refuges
🏆 Credential Required: NPS/State Park Service Training Academy + LE Commission (law enforcement)
☀️ Day in the Life
A typical day as a Park Ranger / Conservation Officer involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a National parks environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✅ Strong job security
- ✅ Rewarding work
- ✅ Clear career progression
- ✅ Growing demand
Challenges
- ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
- ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
- ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region
🗺️ Park Ranger / Conservation Officer by State
See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:
FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC
🏫 Schools and programs related to Park Ranger / Conservation Officer
USA Career Finder combines federal education datasets, state-approved training lists, workforce training provider lists, and licensing-board sources where available. Always confirm program availability, cost, admissions requirements, and licensing eligibility directly with the school.
Federal dataset match
Community College
Kirkwood Community College
📍 Cedar Rapids, IA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Colorado Northwestern Community College
📍 Rangely, CO
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Finger Lakes Community College
📍 Canandaigua, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Fox Valley Technical College
📍 Appleton, WI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Washtenaw Community College
📍 Ann Arbor, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Connecticut State Community College
📍 Hartford, CT
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
CUNY LaGuardia Community College
📍 Long Island City, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
📍 Perkinston, MS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
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📍 Jersey City, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Bucks County Community College
📍 Newtown, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Harrisburg, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Sewell, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Community College of Vermont
📍 Montpelier, VT
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Central Lakes College-Brainerd
📍 Brainerd, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Valhalla, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Hagerstown, MD
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Okmulgee, OK
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Danvers, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Binghamton, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Auburn, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Schnecksville, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Estherville, IA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 South Lake Tahoe, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Portsmouth, NH
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Corning, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Godfrey, IL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 La Plata, MD
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Gardner, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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NHTI-Concord's Community College
📍 Concord, NH
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Jamestown Community College
📍 Jamestown, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Worcester, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Minneapolis, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 Wooster, OH
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
📍 Bentonville, AR
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Berkshire Community College
📍 Pittsfield, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Rochester Community and Technical College
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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White Mountains Community College
📍 Berlin, NH
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Treasure Valley Community College
📍 Ontario, OR
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
📍 Mountain Home, AR
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
📍 Baraga, MI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
City College of San Francisco
📍 San Francisco, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Los Angeles Harbor College
📍 Wilmington, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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📍 San Jacinto, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Santa Barbara City College
📍 Santa Barbara, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Greenfield Community College
📍 Greenfield, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southwestern Michigan College
📍 Dowagiac, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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North Hennepin Community College
📍 Brooklyn Park, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
St Cloud Technical and Community College
📍 Saint Cloud, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Passaic County Community College
📍 Paterson, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Clinton Community College
📍 Plattsburgh, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Columbia-Greene Community College
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Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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North Country Community College
📍 Saranac Lake, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Ulster County Community College
📍 Stone Ridge, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Forsyth Technical Community College
📍 Winston-Salem, NC
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
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Little Priest Tribal College
📍 Winnebago, NE
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
📍 Moorefield, WV
Certificate 2-4yr
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