A park ranger in the United States averages around $37,382 a year. The median salary for a park ranger in Canada is about C$40,637 ($32,388.73 USD). In the United Kingdom, the average park ranger salary is £25,000 ($29,140.90 USD). For Australia, the typical park ranger salary is around AU$60,000 ($47,517.02 USD). The approximate salary for a park ranger in Switzerland is $39,100 Swiss Franc ($41,342.82 USD). The median salary for a Park Ranger in Norway is 189,661 Norwegian Krone ($23,624.46 USD). The typical estimated salary for a park ranger is very similar in most countries.
Park Ranger Salary Influencers
Even though the salary for a park ranger varies by state, the general influencing factors and job outlook remains the same throughout the profession. The following is an expansion on each determining aspect of being a park ranger.
1. Industry
There are several different types of park ranger jobs available in the industry. There are permanent National park ranger jobs, temporary or seasonal park ranger Jobs, State park ranger jobs, country park ranger jobs and park rangers that work in U.S. Territories. Some park rangers gather conservational data on wildlife and plant populations while others concentrate on educating the public about how to appreciate nature, and how things like pollution or affect nature.
Other park ranger responsibilities may include law enforcement, firefighting, collecting fees, permit or equipment sales and grounds maintenance. park rangers in today’s society are extremely skilled professionals that have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree. Those who have a higher salary and are employed in management positions often have to have a Master’s Degree or a Ph.D.
2. Geographical Area
| Park Ranger Salary | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| US | $18 | $37,382 |
| Canada | $15.54 | $32,388 |
| UK | $14.01 | $29,141 |
| Australia | $22.84 | $47,517 |
| Switzerland | $19.88 | $41,342 |
| Norway | $11.36 | $23,624 |
Park Ranger Salary in the US
The average park ranger salary in the United States is around $37,382. Most people who have more than 20 years of experience in this field either retire or move on to another job; therefore, how much experience someone has is a major determining factor for their salary, in this profession. The salary for a park ranger in the United States can range anywhere from $25,063 to $59,738 based on the experience and skill someone has. Park rangers early in their career tend to make in the lowest ten percent of the average salary, where as someone late in their career tends to make in the top 52 percent.
Park Ranger Salary in Canada
The median salary for a park ranger in Canada is about C$40,637 ($32,388.73 USD) annually, C$3,386.42 ($2,699.06 USD) monthly or C$19.54 ($15.54 USD) hourly. In Canada, 76 percent of hired park rangers are male. Those with higher skill levels tend to earn more in Canada. Someone with Emergency Medical Service (EMS) training will likely make more than someone who does not have that training.
Park Ranger Salary in the UK
In the United Kingdom, the average Park Ranger’s salary is £25,000 ($29,140.90 USD). The average salary for a park ranger typically spans from £18,000 ($20,981.45 USD) to £25,000 ($29,140.90 USD) but can go all the way up to £30,000 ($34,969.08 USD) annually for senior park rangers. The average salary for a park ranger in the United Kingdom is £2,083.33 ($2,428.41 USD) monthly or £12.02 ($14.01 USD) by the hour.
Park Ranger Salary in Australia
For Australia, the typical park ranger salary is around AU$60,000 ($47,517.02 USD) annually, AU$5,000 ($3,959.75 USD) monthly or AU$28.85 ($22.84 USD) hourly. There is projected to be eleven percent more park panger jobs available in Australia in 2018 than there was in 2013. To earn a higher salary in Australia, park rangers must be able to make accurate observations, have good communication skills, enjoy dealing with people, be able to handle animals with patience, enjoy science and to work outdoors in all conditions.
Park Ranger Salary in Switzerland
The approximate salary for a park ranger in Switzerland is $39,100 Swiss Franc ($41,342.82 USD) annually, $3,258.33 Swiss Franc ($3,445.24 USD) monthly or $18.80 Swiss Franc ($19.88 USD) by the hour. Senior level park rangers with more than eight years of experience in Switzerland can earn up to $54,962 Swiss Franc ($ USD) yearly. Those with a higher level of education are more likely to earn a higher salary in Switzerland. Park rangers with a Master’s Degree can earn eleven percent more than those with an Associate’s Degree.
Park Ranger Salary in Norway
The median salary for a park ranger in Norway is 189,661 Norwegian Krone ($23,624.46 USD) annually, 15,805.08 Norwegian Krone ($1,968.71 USD) monthly or 91.18 Norwegian Krone ($11.36 USD) hourly. The location of where a park ranger is employed is especially important in Norway. Park rangers in Bergin, Norway earn an average of five percent less than the national average.
3. Experience
Years of experience is one of the most important determining factors for a park ranger’s salary in almost every country. Those that are just entering into the field with less than three years of experience tend to make the lowest average salary; whereas, park rangers late in their career with between eight and 20 years of experience have a tendency to make the highest average salary. After 20 years of experience, many park rangers either retire or move on to a different line of work because the work of a park ranger can be physically demanding.
Working Hours
The working hours of a park ranger tend to vary with the season. The typical full-time park ranger works 40 hours a week with plenty of overtime and extra hours on the weekends. During the summer months, when parks are the busiest, park rangers can work many more hours than usual to maintain the park. Most park rangers have to work sunrise to sunset without the compensation for the number of hours.
Bonuses & Benefits Packages
Most permanent park ranger jobs offer many benefits. 61 percent of park ranger jobs provide medical insurance, 48 percent have dental insurance plans and 43 percent offer vision insurance. Park rangers in many countries receive yearly monetary bonuses for good work.
Job Outlook
Being a park ranger was listed as one of the top five most exciting outdoor jobs in Canada. Many other countries appreciate the hard work and dedication that comes with being a park ranger. Four out of five park rangers say that they are satisfied with their job and many would agree that they do not do it for the money. People who enjoy the outdoors, animals and nature find the job of being a park ranger both relaxing and exciting.
Conclusion
While in most countries park rangers are not paid extremely well, it is a thrilling job that many people find fascinating. Becoming a park ranger is an amazing job for anyone who loves the outdoors and nature.
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