Q&A for How to Be a Park Ranger

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Do you really have to go to school for this position or can you simply gain experience through volunteer work and then use the experience and acquired knowledge to become a park ranger?

Community Answer

Many state agencies and some national parks have entry-level seasonal positions that do not require higher education; by starting at this level and working you are likely to gain experience and advancement. However, higher-paying positions, such as management positions, often require degrees as well as relevant experience.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 57
Question

How much money do park rangers make a year?

Community Answer

Most U.S. National Park Service Rangers are GS-5s or GS-7s on the general schedule civil service pay scale. That equates to $28,000-45,000 a year full-time. However, most rangers are either seasonal (temporary employees) or subject to furlough, so they are not employed year round. Seasonal position employment tends to last about 26 weeks.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 65
Question

What age do you need to be to start volunteering?

Community Answer

You can usually work in a kiosk for a state park at the age of 16, though this age requirement varies by state.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 44
Question

What is the average pay?

Community Answer

Roughly $30,000-$60,000 salary, which is highly dependent on the size and level of the park, the experience, and duties of the ranger.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 19 Helpful 65
Question

Why do I need to know environmental science in this career?

Community Answer

So you know how to care for the environment. If you didn't then you wouldn't know things like what the animals may eat or bird calls.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 47
Question

Do park rangers stay overnight in the park or live in the park? If so, where?

Community Answer

Some specific parks, like Isle Royale and other remote parks, have rangers living on site, but in most parks, they will be living in the nearest town.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 21
Question

I am 55 years old. Can I become a park ranger?

Community Answer

You can, but you will need to get the required education first. There may also be some bias toward hiring younger people, so be prepared for that.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 28 Helpful 56
Question

Can you still have a family and kids if you are a ranger?

Community Answer

You're perfectly fine to have kids. Just like any other job, you're going to need to go to work every day. Rangers usually work about 10 hours a day, leaving plenty of time for family duties.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 21 Helpful 38
Question

Can a person become a national parks ranger if he is 64 years old and has a 24-year-old (non-violent) felony in his background, but is otherwise qualified?

Community Answer

That is pretty specific. You would best be served by contacting the the park directly.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 16 Helpful 25
Question

How much money do park rangers make per year?

Community Answer

It can range from $9 an hour to $15, depending on the size of the park and what position you've been given.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 35 Helpful 26
Question

If I have a mental history such as being bipolar, can I still become a park ranger and carry a weapon?

Community Answer

It depends on state laws and whether you have been convicted of crimes/committed to psychiatric care for being a danger to yourself and others.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Question

Am I likely to be accepted as a park ranger if I have a degree in engineering with 5+ years of experience?

Community Answer

About as likely as any other unrelated field. They would probably be more interested in any relevant experience you have, such as volunteering and previous park work.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

What is the average salary for a park ranger in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York or Massachusetts?

Community Answer

It depends of the size of the park. The bigger the park, the higher the pay. (Somewhere in the 30-60 range.) But, pay rates are the same nationwide, because it is a federal organization.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

What is the difference between a park ranger and a forest ranger?

Community Answer

Both work toward the conservation of the park and safety of its visitors, but in some areas park rangers act as law-enforcement officials within the park as well.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
Question

How fit do I have to be to go through Forest Ranger training?

Community Answer

You will need to be quite fit, more fit than the average person.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Can a teacher with a Master's degree easily transfer to a park ranger career? Would any of my college experience transfer?

Community Answer

Your Master's degree in an unrelated field could possibly transfer, although they would probably be more interested in volunteering and relevant work experience.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Where do I go to apply for the ranger job?

Community Answer

USAJOBS.COM - search "park ranger".

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0