Park Naturalists
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
Park Naturalists plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park. The role reports a median annual salary of $67,950 in the US and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows low AI exposure (0.35 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Social Perceptiveness.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £40,083 a year for Conservation professionals (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2151). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Park Naturalists, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
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Forestry — B.Sc (Hons) Forestry (four years)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Biology
- Communications and Media
- History and Archeology
- Law and Government
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Park Naturalists do?
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
How much does Park Naturalists earn?
The median annual salary for Park Naturalists in the US is $67,950.
What is the job outlook for Park Naturalists?
The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 28,500 workers.
How do I become park naturalists?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Park Naturalists need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Social Perceptiveness, Critical Thinking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Park Naturalists?
Our AI-durability model gives Park Naturalists a score of 0.35 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Park Naturalists has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.