If you love nature, you might as well get paid for that passion.
Competition for some roles does occur more than for others, but you can find your way if you have the determination.
1. Ski Instructor
Why Become a Ski Instructor?
You might only receive an annual salary of $25,380 per year as a ski instructor.
However, you only have to attend training before becoming one for up to six months.
If you intend on continuing your career working outside, this could open you up to other outdoor adventure opportunities that pay more.
The 2020-2030 growth outlook measures approximately 6 percent for this occupation.
| Ski Instructor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Ski Instructor
2. Horticulturalist
Why Become a Horticulturalist?
Also known as a “gardener,” you could become a horticulturalist for a living if you have a passion for taking care of plants.
Maybe you will work with landscapers or lawn maintenance companies to plan and manicure outdoor trees, bushes, and flowers.
Otherwise, you maybe could trim and weed edible gardens.
The $32,360 makes you at least enough money per year for basic living expenses, but the need has dropped to below zero by 2030.
You might, however, consider teaching your gardening skills to others to earn more money.
| Horticulturalist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | -0.8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Horticulturalist
3. Tour Guide
Why Become a Tour Guide?
If you want to meet new people and make connections with people from all over the world, why not become a tour guide?
You might even have the chance to see new places and learn about different cultures.
However, it is best to stay in one place and learn the area well to increase your chance of getting hired.
You can make about $30,670 per year after about three to four years of both school and practical job experience or internships.
Career researchers predict a 10 percent growth rate for this role, so you might find some possibilities at least up until 2030.
| Tour Guide Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 10% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Tour Guide
4. Park Ranger
Why Become a Park Ranger?
As a park ranger, you could work at a campground, national park, wildlife preserve, or another outdoor site.
You would become a part of preserving natural resources and spend your days outside if that is what you love to do.
It is modest pay for the amount of work you would do at about $32,790 and three to four years of training and schooling.
However, you can spend your time working in locations you might not otherwise afford to visit.
You might find some need at about a 6 percent job growth rate predicted until 2030.
| Park Ranger Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Park Ranger
5. Conservationist
Why Become a Conservationist?
If you have a passion to improve farming and land conditions, becoming a conservationist may help you make a difference.
You might secure a position at a state, local, or national government station, or you might devote your life to non-profit employment.
Salaries vary depending on organizational budgets.
However, you can earn an average of $67,040 per year after about four years of gaining practical experience while in school.
It is one of the higher-paying jobs for people who love nature out there, and you can expect a slight growth rate of about 6.3 percent until 2030.
| Conservationist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 6.3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Conservationist
6. Ecologist
Why Become an Ecologist?
If you always had a curiosity about plants and animals and want to learn more about them, becoming an ecologist might interest you.
In this position, you also will learn how natural habitats work with both native and migrated flora and fauna.
Apparently, most people who study ecology do so for the love of nature and not to make money or achieve social status.
Employment in this occupation, however, can earn you about $77,940 per year after about four years of schooling and work experience.
You can enjoy the assurance of the 11 percent predicted job growth rate from 2020 to 2030.
| Ecologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 11% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Ecologist
7. Environmental Scientist
Why Become an Environmental Scientist?
As an environmental scientist, you can use your experience to improve natural conditions outdoors, which also can keep humans healthy.
You might work in a laboratory conducting research, collect data out in the field and monitor air and water quality, which also may include implementation of pollution control actions.
Someone in this profession can earn about $77,940 per year after a combination of practical experiences and four or more years of school.
For the amount of pay and the 15 percent job growth rate, this could provide you a chance to make a decent living while enjoying nature if you have the chance to work outdoors instead of in the lab.
| Environmental Scientist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 15% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Environmental Scientist
8. Landscape Architect
Why Become a Landscape Architect?
If you had any chance at all ever to become a part of creating flower mounds or planting bushes in someone’s yard, those experiences make you an excellent fit to become a landscaper.
As a landscape architect, you will create pleasing displays of trees, flowers, gardens, and other foliage.
However, you might also include trellises, gazebos, or walking paths and ornaments in the plans.
Your position might also include maintenance and managing landscape assistants on commercial, recreational, and residential properties.
| Landscape Architect Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 4% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Landscape Architect
9. Wildlife Biologist
Why Become a Wildlife Biologist?
Sometimes known as a “botanist,” a wildlife biologist may spend their day studying plants.
However, some wildlife biologists also observe living creatures.
If you want to make a living observing nature, this role would fit you well.
You can make $67,200 after about four years of training and experience, and there is an 8 percent job growth rate for this profession.
| Wildlife Biologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Wildlife Biologist
10. Geologist
Why Become a Geologist?
You might not have thought that the demand for geologists would reach higher than for other nature jobs.
There is a predicted 14.1 percent job growth rate until 2030 for this position.
What is more, you can earn about $96,990 after about four years of school as long as you gain practical experience while still a student.
It is more dangerous than other nature jobs, however.
You might enjoy the excitement though, and you would make a future earthquake, volcano, and landslide predictions.
| Geologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 14.1% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Geologist
11. Marine Biologist
Why Become a Marine Biologist?
You could get paid to snorkel every day as a marine biologist.
In this position, you would study underwater creatures, coral reefs, rock formations, and more.
It may not seem like work to you, but you might also put yourself in compromising positions, especially during bad weather or if in the rare instance of accidentally aggravating a biting sea creature.
This position could earn you about $87,590 per year after about four years of school and gaining some practical experience while learning.
Plan for success as young as possible if you really want to do this because this position only has about a 5 percent growth rate from 2020 to 2030.
| Marine Biologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Marine Biologist
