There are currently an estimated 22,300 park naturalists in the United States. The park naturalist job market is expected to grow by 6.3% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are park naturalists?
CareerExplorer rates park naturalists with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 7,500 park naturalists. That number is based on 1,400 additional park naturalists, and the retirement of 6,100 existing park naturalists.
What’s the supply of park naturalists?
The park naturalist industry is concentrated in Texas, California, Colorado
Park Naturalist job market by state
| State Name | Employed Park Naturalists |
|---|---|
| Texas | 1,930 |
| California | 1,760 |
| Colorado | 1,340 |
| Florida | 1,010 |
| Pennsylvania | 910 |
| Washington | 860 |
| Oregon | 760 |
| Wisconsin | 710 |
| Minnesota | 690 |
| Mississippi | 680 |
| Virginia | 640 |
| Louisiana | 630 |
| Montana | 580 |
| Illinois | 560 |
| Iowa | 510 |
| Missouri | 500 |
| New York | 500 |
| Maryland | 470 |
| North Carolina | 450 |
| Ohio | 380 |
| Massachusetts | 350 |
| Michigan | 340 |
| New Jersey | 330 |
| Georgia | 320 |
| Arizona | 300 |
| District of Columbia | 290 |
| South Dakota | 290 |
| Utah | 270 |
| North Dakota | 260 |
| Idaho | 250 |
| South Carolina | 250 |
| Nebraska | 220 |
| New Mexico | 220 |
| Nevada | 220 |
| Indiana | 200 |
| Alaska | 190 |
| Kansas | 190 |
| Oklahoma | 190 |
| West Virginia | 190 |
| Arkansas | 190 |
| Wyoming | 180 |
| Kentucky | 170 |
| Tennessee | 170 |
| Hawaii | 140 |
| Alabama | 100 |
| Maine | 70 |
| Vermont | 70 |
| Delaware | 60 |
| New Hampshire | 50 |
| Puerto Rico | 40 |