Love The Outdoors? These Jobs Will Get You There All The Time
If you're the kind of person who loves to stop and smell the roses, get out on a big multi-day hike, or just hates being stuck behind a desk, then this article is for you. If you've been looking for a change of pace from your monotonous nine-to-five and want to get out in nature, these outdoor sectors are hiring—and the pay isn't terrible, either!
Park Ranger
If you love being outdoors and maintaining the amazing national parks in the United States, consider joining a cadre of dedicated outdoors people working within the national park system. As educators and protectors of natural spaces, you will interact with the visiting public in America's national parks, sharing knowledge, giving guided tours, and providing assistance whenever necessary.
A Little More About The Job
The National Park Service is actively hiring individuals with a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree in conservation, law enforcement, natural resources, or environmental management. The Service will provide training for the role at the Public Safety Training Center's Law Enforcement Training Program. The NPS typically posts openings for positions twice a year, so keep your eyes peeled!
JUAN CARLOS MUNOZ, Adobe Stock
Conservation Scientist
If you're more scientifically-minded but would rather be outdoors than in front of a microscope, look into becoming a Conservation Scientist. Conservation scientists play a key role in helping keep our planet green and clean by studying the animals and plants that live on it, with a view to use their research to help conserve our ecosystem.
A Little More About The Job
While Conservation Scientists are required to have a four-year degree in a related science field, and sometimes even a master's degree, there are plenty of work opportunities. From the National Park Service to private companies and other government institutions, the median annual wage for conservation scientists is about $48,000. So, if science and the outdoors are your perfect pairing, consider becoming a conservation scientist.
Nature Or Wildlife Photographer
If you love taking photos and love the outdoors, then becoming a landscape, nature, or wildlife photographer might be right up your alley. Let your creative juices run wild in the outdoors, stay active while you're at it as you hike up big mountains for the perfect shot. Whether you choose to sell prints, run workshops, or just post your pictures online in the hopes of getting a brand or sponsorship deal, being a nature/wildlife photographer can be very rewarding.
A Little More About The Job
While many nature and wildlife photographers make their own wealth by and large, if your images are good enough, you may be able to sell them to magazines, both local, national and international. There are also opportunities to become a "photo guide", if your area attracts a great deal of tourists. If you're lucky enough to work for a corporation, you could be earning between $30,000 and $80,000 per year.
Wildlife Biologist
If you love studying wild animals, then the role of a wildlife biologist might be perfect for you. You'll need to obtain a four-year bachelor's degree in biology first, then possibly a master's degree in a related wildlife field, but your work could take you to the farthest corners of the Earth.
A Little More About The Job
Your job can include monitoring animals for changes in their behavior or diet, because of changes to their environment, collecting field samples and collaborating with government agencies and NGOs on how best to protect animals from human interference. The average annual salary of a wildlife biologist is around $76,000.
Marine Biologist
If you're more interested in what goes on under the water than above it, particularly the science behind it, then the job of a marine biologist may be right up your alley. Marine biologists study organisms big and small that live in our oceans and other bodies of water. They also study the changes in the oceans due to climate change and their research can provide useful clues about the future of our waterways.
A Little More About The Job
To become a marine biologist, you'll need to obtain a four-year bachelor's degree in marine biology, as well as a master's degree in your desired specialized field, even for entry-level positions. Once you're supremely qualified, however, you'll have your pick of where to work. Government institutions, NGOs, research labs, and many other places hire marine biologists. The average annual salary of a marine biologist is about $88,000.
Fotografia Juan Reig, Adobe Stock
Fly Fishing Guide
If you've been fishing before you could walk and enjoy nothing better than standing around for hours with a fishing rod, then you may be the perfect candidate for a fly fishing guide position. You'll lead small groups of people who also love fly fishing to some of the best spots in your state, or local area or park—depending on whether you go into business for yourself, or are employed by a company or even the National Park Service.
A Little More About The Job
Being a fly fishing guide is a seasonal position in most states, but it does provide you with flexibility to move your skillset around to different areas of the country, following the work as the seasons change. Depending on where you're employed, the average annual salary for a fly fishing guide is about $40,000.
Environmental Engineer
If you're the problem-solving type and have an affinity for the environment, then a career as an environmental engineer may be right up your alley. You'll use your engineering skills to create solutions to combat problems facing the environment, either on a local, state, or federal level. Environmental engineering is a highly specialized field that requires a bachelor's degree in environmental sciences or a related field, while also obtaining an engineering license.
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Once you've obtained the necessary qualifications, you can find employment at various institutions, companies, and organizations that are all about protecting the environment. Environmental engineers also take part in architectural projects and anything else that could threaten the environment, conducting risk assessments, research, and generating reports. As an environmental engineer, you can expect an average annual salary of about $90,000.
Landscape Architect
If design is more your thing, but you still love the outdoors, then consider a career as a landscape architect. You may work with an architecture firm, either full-time or on contract, or work as part of a building management team or a grounds team for a building management company. Landscape architects are less about the lawn mowing and more about the overall look and feel of a piece of property.
A Little More About The Job
A bachelor's and/or master's degree in landscape architecture is generally required, but if you love bringing people's design dreams to life outdoors, then this career is perfect for you. Landscape architects are generally never out of work and make a decent living, with an average salary of $83,000 per year.
Geologist
If you've got a hankering to learn more about the rock we're all on, flying through space, then consider becoming a geologist. As a geologist, you'll study the Earth and its functions and history by looking at rocks, fossils, wood, and other natural materials to learn about the Earth's past and future. Geologists are required to have a bachelor's degree in geology or environmental science.
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Despite the high-level science knowledge required to become a geologist, geology is one of the most desired employment fields in the country. The geology field is predicted to grow by 5% by 2033 and with the advent of new renewable technology, you can expect a greater diversity of work. The average salary of a geologist is around $70,000 per year.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists have similar jobs to environmental engineers, but instead focus on policy and planning for the long-term effects of human behavior on the environment. As an environmental scientist, you'll conduct and analyze research, develop solutions to environmental problems, and work as part of a team, usually either for an NGO or government organization.
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Environmental scientists often find themselves traveling the world to help out with projects and be part of large-scale, international initiatives. Or, studying the impact of a specific policy on the environment in another part of the world. Environmental scientists are required to have a four-year bachelor's degree in environmental science as a minimum. A master's degree would be of huge benefit. You can expect an average annual salary of $78,000.
Hydrologist
If you don't like diving but love the science of water, consider becoming a hydrologist. Hydrologists study the water table, water flow systems, and the effects of environmental change on bodies of water. They help other scientists to study and predict changes like erosion, pollution, and drought.
A Little More About The Job
To become a hydrologist, you must obtain a bachelor's degree in geology or Earth science with a specialization in hydrology. However, hydrologists can find employment in a variety of places: from NGOs to government bodies at local, state, and federal levels. The average annual salary of a hydrologist in the US is $88,000—one of the highest-paid environmental science positions out there.
Wildland Firefighter
Wildland firefighting is a completely different beast to urban firefighting. Battling harsh terrain, ever-changing fire conditions, and weather patterns isn't for the faint-hearted, but being a wildland firefighter can also be very rewarding—after all, you'll be saving life and property in America's wildlands. It's a challenge like no other. So, whether you're an urban firefighter or are just a volunteer with your local FD, consider giving wildland firefighting a go.
A Little More About The Job
Being a wildland firefighter can mean long days or weeks away from family and although the pay isn't great (for full-time workers), with an average annual salary of $36,489 per year, there's also the opportunity to do other work outside of the fire season.
Forester
Foresters are responsible for the ethical harvesting of America's forests using large equipment or manual tools like chainsaws. You'll need to attend a university or college and major in forestry studies, with a healthy interest in forestry management and conservation. Cutting down trees is only a small part of the job. Foresters also contribute to the planning, research, and supervision of forestry-related projects.
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Foresters often enjoy a regular work schedule, with a healthy balance of indoor/outdoor work, and are always in high demand across the United States, with hundreds of job postings available nationwide. America is blessed with amazing forests—you could contribute to their protection. You'll be paid an average annual salary of $66,000.
Botanist
If you love plants, then consider becoming a botanist. Learning all the intricacies of the plants and trees in your local environment and how they're affected by animals, climate change, and more. Conservation and research are top-of-mind for botanists, who usually work for either state or federal agencies, or for scientific research organizations.
A Little More About The Job
Botanists are passionate about plants, horticulture, gardening, and more. You'll need a university undergraduate degree in botany, plant science, environmental science, or another related field in order to become a botanist. But, after you've completed your training, you could be paid around $75,000 per year.
Wind Turbine Technician
Wind turbine technicians are highly qualified field technicians that work for renewable energy companies, aiding in the installation and maintenance of wind turbines. If renewable energy has always been of interest to you and you've a knack for figuring out how things work by taking them apart and putting them back together again, consider becoming a wind turbine technician.
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You'll need to complete post-secondary education in electrical or mechanical engineering, with a specialization in the renewable energy sector. Many technical schools offer these qualifications tailored specifically to prospective turbine technicians. Once you've graduated, you'll be well-paid, with wind turbine techs taking home an average annual salary of $61,000.
Solar Energy Specialist
If you're passionate about renewable technology and have a scientific background, you could easily find work as a solar energy specialist. Providing on-site consultations to clients as part of a solar installation company, or being outside and helping installation teams with their jobs, solar energy specialists are more in-demand as the world transitions to renewable energy sources.
A Little More About The Job
While a high school diploma is a minimum requirement to undergo further training to become a solar energy specialist, it's advisable that you at least obtain a college-level certificate in a renewable energy field. On average, solar energy specialists make an annual salary of $73,000.
Organic Farmer
If you've always had a dream of living on a farm, then why not make that dream a reality? You can work on organic farms throughout the United States, either as a volunteer with a program like WWOOF, or as a full-time employee. You can choose between full-scale farms that produce meat or vegetable farming, depending on your preferences. Farms are crying out for workers and you could play an important role in the food economy.
A Little More About The Job
Despite the sometimes-seasonal nature of the farm, there are plenty of farms that hire full-time workers year-round. Unfortunately, the pay isn't often great, as they earn about $31,000 per year. However, your room and board may be provided by the farmer, so you won't have to worry about that expense.
Adventure Guide
If you've spent many years exploring your local area and going on solo adventures, consider turning your inside knowledge into a small business of sorts. You could either start your own adventure guide company, or get hired on by a company that already exists. If you love the outdoors, then teaching other people how they can love it too would be a wonderful to make some money, wouldn't it?
A Little More About The Job
Depending on where you're working and for which company or state/federal agency, your job could be seasonal or full-time. You'll need to complete a few courses before you become certified at the state or federal level, mostly the American Mountain Guide Association and Wilderness First Responder course load. Once hired, you could make an average of $33,000 per year and be outside (and adventuring) 90% of the time.
Tour Guide
If you prefer the tourist traps to the foothills, then consider becoming a tour guide for your municipality. If you've lived in an area for long enough and know a thing or two about it, you can either start your own tour guide company, or hop on board with one that already exists. Tour guide work is often seasonal, but it can be a rewarding career with the potential for upward mobility.
A Little More About The Job
The average annual salary for a tour guide is around $39,000 per year. A post-secondary education isn't always mandatory, but if you have a degree in archaeology, history, or a certificate or diploma in tourism studies, you may be able to obtain highly sought-after positions, like being a tour guide in Greece.
LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS, Adobe Stock
Ski Instructor
Finally, if you bleed snow and think there's no better sight than a mountain slope, the seasonal job of a ski instructor may be just what you're looking for. Of course, you'll need to be a competent skier and obtain a ski instructor certification through the Professional Ski Instructors of America in Levels 1 through 4 of instruction.
A Little More About The Job
Ski instructors are always in high demand in ski resort towns across the United States. Often, ski resorts will put up their ski instructors that work there full-time in lodgings on-site, which means you'll make more money as you don't have to pay rent (yay!). The average annual salary is around $37,500, but you get to spend all day teaching people to ski down mountain slopes. What could be better than that?
Fisher Photostudio, Adobe Stock
What Outdoor Do You Do (And Love)?
What outdoor jobs do you do? Have you ever worked in any of the above-mentioned sectors? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments below.
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