EMT or paramedic; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area ... Ranger or providing education and outreach, Forestry and/or fire management work in a park ...
EMT or paramedic; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area ... Ranger or providing education and outreach, Forestry and/or fire management work in a park ...
EMT or paramedic; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area ... Ranger or providing education and outreach, Forestry and/or fire management work in a park ...
EMT or paramedic; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area ... Ranger or providing education and outreach, Forestry and/or fire management work in a park ...
Forest Ranger information
See Wisconsin salary details
$5.34 - $7.68
0% of jobs
$7.68 - $10.01
0% of jobs
$10.01 - $12.35
0% of jobs
$12.35 - $14.69
11% of jobs
$16.86 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$14.69 - $17.03
15% of jobs
$17.03 - $19.37
19% of jobs
$19.37 - $21.71
3% of jobs
The median wage is $21.98 / hr.
$21.71 - $24.04
18% of jobs
$25.45 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$24.04 - $26.38
16% of jobs
$26.38 - $28.72
11% of jobs
$28.72 - $31.06
7% of jobs
$5
$22
$31
How much do forest ranger jobs pay per hour?
As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for forest ranger in Wisconsin is $22.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.46 and $26.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are some common challenges Forest Rangers face in balancing conservation efforts with public access to natural areas?
Forest Rangers often need to strike a balance between preserving natural habitats and providing public access for recreation. This can present challenges, such as enforcing regulations to protect wildlife and ecosystems while also educating visitors about responsible use of the land. Rangers may encounter issues like illegal dumping, off-trail hiking, or unauthorized campfires, which require both enforcement and diplomacy. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as rangers collaborate with local communities, law enforcement, and conservation groups to address these challenges.
What do you do as a forest ranger?
A forest ranger is responsible for protecting and managing public forests and grasslands. They monitor wildlife, enforce laws, prevent and fight wildfires, maintain trails, and educate the public about conservation. The role often requires physical fitness, knowledge of ecology, and sometimes certifications in firefighting or first aid.
What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?
Forest ranger positions typically do not pay $4,000 a week without a degree; most such roles offer lower wages and require specialized training or certifications. High-paying jobs that can reach this level without a degree are rare and often involve skilled trades, sales, or entrepreneurship, but they usually require experience, licensing, or specific skills. It is important to research industry standards and job requirements for accurate salary expectations.
What are forest rangers?
Forest rangers are professionals responsible for managing, protecting, and preserving forests, parks, and natural resources. They patrol forested areas to prevent and combat wildfires, enforce regulations, educate the public, and monitor wildlife and plant health. Forest rangers also assist with search and rescue operations and maintain trails and campsites. Their work is vital for ensuring the safety and sustainability of natural habitats for future generations.
Is becoming a forest ranger hard?
Becoming a forest ranger typically requires completing relevant education or training, such as a degree in forestry, environmental science, or a related field, along with physical fitness and sometimes certification in first aid or firefighting. The job can be physically demanding and involves outdoor work in various weather conditions, but the difficulty varies based on individual preparation and experience.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forest Ranger, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Forest Ranger, you need knowledge of forestry, environmental science, and resource management, usually backed by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with GIS mapping software, GPS devices, and fire management systems is commonly required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills help Forest Rangers engage with the public and coordinate with other agencies. These abilities are essential for protecting natural resources, ensuring public safety, and effectively managing forest lands.
What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?
While most forest ranger positions do not pay $500,000 annually, high-level executive roles in the forestry or environmental sectors, such as chief conservation officers or senior management in large organizations, can reach or exceed this level. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership skills, often combined with specialized certifications and a strong track record in environmental management.
What Do I Do As a Forest Ranger?
A forest ranger has a wide range of responsibilities. In this career, you work in a national park, national forest, state park, or other nature preserve. Your job responsibilities include providing safety services for the visitors of the park, which could involve patrol duties, trail maintenance, fire prevention, or insect control. You are also responsible for the protection of the environment inside the park or preserve. You work to maintain the park in its natural state and stop activities such as littering, poaching, or other misuses of the land. In some roles, you may work closely with wildlife, while other positions focus more on visitors.
What is the difference between Forest Ranger vs Park Ranger?
| Aspect | Forest Ranger | Park Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Typically requires a degree in forestry, environmental science, or related field; certifications in firefighting and first aid | Often requires similar degrees; certifications in first aid, law enforcement, or visitor services |
| Work Environment | Forests, wilderness areas, national forests | National parks, recreational areas, visitor centers |
| Employer & Industry | U.S. Forest Service, state forestry agencies | National Park Service, state park agencies |
While both Forest Rangers and Park Rangers work to protect natural resources and assist visitors, Forest Rangers primarily focus on forest management, firefighting, and conservation in forested areas. Park Rangers often concentrate on visitor safety, education, and resource protection within parks. The roles overlap but differ mainly in their work environments and specific responsibilities.
More about Forest Ranger jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Forest Ranger jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Forest Ranger jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Forest Ranger jobs in Wisconsin? For Forest Ranger jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Forest Ranger jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Forest Ranger jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Forest Ranger jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Forest Ranger job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Forest Ranger jobs in WI? For Forest Ranger jobs in WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
U.S. Department Of The Interior rating
7.8
Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
409th of 832 rated public administrative organizations
Job description
This position is located in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, in the Division of Visitor and Resource Protection.
Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as permanent appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will be guaranteed 6 months of work, the remainder of the year will be subject to availability of non-base funding.
Qualifications:All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.
To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level:
- Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience park guide or tour leader; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
- Education: Successful completion of at least 4 years college education with at least 24 semester hours of related course work. Related fields of study include natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archaeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. One year of education above high school is equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
- Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, first take the percentage of education completed, then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level:
- Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: As a Park Ranger, law enforcement; EMT or paramedic; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, management of park areas or similar operations; or other similar work. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
- Education: Successful completion of at least one year of graduate level study in directly related fields such as natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, emergency management, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
- Combination of education and experience. A combination of education and experience as described above.
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Successfully completed a bachelor's degree in a directly related field AND meet one of the following: (1) Class Standing: rank in the upper 3rd of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on the completed courses; OR (2) Grad-Point Average (GPA): earn a GPA of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field, or the required courses completed during the final two years. Note: GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, for example, 2.95 = 3.0, 2.94 = 2.9; OR (3) Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society.
To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level:
- Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Working in Emergency Medical Services, Search and Rescue, or Law Enforcement or investigative work, Park Ranger or providing education and outreach, Forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area, and Management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations such as volunteer administrative support.. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
- Education: Successful completion of at least a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or successfully completed at least two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree such as natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, emergency management, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources, OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
- Combination of education and experience. A combination of experience as described above.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification
Employment Type: OTHERWhat U.S. Department Of The Interior employees say
Pay
Hours and flexibility
Workplace
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About U.S. Department of the Interior
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Public administration
Company size
10,000+ Employees
Headquarters location
Washington, DC, US
Year founded
1849