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$44

How much do national park service ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for national park service ranger in Washington is $23.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.62 and $24.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a National Park Service ranger?

National Park Service Rangers are professionals who work for the National Park Service (NPS) to protect and manage the natural and cultural resources within national parks. They perform a variety of roles, including law enforcement, education, emergency response, and resource management. Rangers help ensure the safety of visitors, maintain park facilities, and provide guided tours and educational programs. Their work is essential to preserving the integrity and enjoyment of national parks for present and future generations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a National Park Service ranger?

To thrive as a National Park Service Ranger, you need a solid understanding of natural and cultural resource management, law enforcement, and public education, often supported by a degree in environmental science, biology, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, first aid certification, and federal law enforcement systems like NPS LE are commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to public service help rangers effectively engage with visitors and manage challenging situations. These skills ensure the protection of park resources, visitor safety, and a positive visitor experience.

What are some common challenges National Park Service rangers face when balancing conservation efforts with visitor engagement?

National Park Service Rangers often encounter the challenge of protecting natural and cultural resources while ensuring visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. This balance can be demanding, as rangers must enforce regulations to minimize environmental impact, educate the public about conservation, and respond to emergencies or violations. Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are essential, since rangers frequently interact with visitors who may be unaware of park rules or the importance of preservation. Overcoming these challenges is rewarding, as it allows rangers to foster stewardship and appreciation for the parks.

Can I be a national park service ranger with no experience?

Becoming a National Park Service ranger typically requires some relevant experience or education in areas such as law enforcement, natural sciences, or hospitality. Entry-level positions may be available for those with minimal experience, but candidates often need to demonstrate skills like communication, physical fitness, and a knowledge of park operations, and may need to obtain certifications such as CPR or first aid.

Is it hard to get a job as a National Park Service ranger?

Becoming a National Park Service ranger can be competitive, as it often requires relevant experience, education in fields like environmental science or law enforcement, and passing background checks. Candidates typically need strong communication skills, physical fitness, and sometimes certifications such as CPR or first aid. The hiring process can be lengthy and involves multiple steps, including interviews and assessments.

What are popular job titles related to National Park Service Ranger jobs in Washington?

For National Park Service Ranger jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching National Park Service Ranger jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for National Park Service Ranger jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for National Park Service Ranger jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most National Park Service Ranger job openings:

National Park Service Ranger jobs near you
Infographic showing various National Park Service Ranger job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,676 per year, or $23.4 per hour.

Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation)

Contact Us - National Parks of New York Harbor (U.S. National Park Service)

Arlington, VA • On-site

$102K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

You will serve as a Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation), District Ranger with National Park Service. You will be responsible for visitor services for a wide geographic district within the park, directing and leading interpretive staff within the district. The unique demography of this site is in an urban setting, significantly increasing the demands and complexity of this position.Qualifications:Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/18/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, 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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level:
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
1. Managing, planning, developing, and directing interpretive and visitor services programs for a park or similar public land management organization.
2. Performing the full range of supervisory responsibilities for staff, including workforce and position management, recruitment and hiring, performance management, employee development, retention planning and implementation, and addressing employee relations matters, including disciplinary and
corrective actions.
3. Establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with a diverse range of park, local, regional, and national stakeholders to support organizational goals, programs, and initiatives.
You must include hours per week worked. Please also include GS-level for federal positions listed on your resume.


Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:This position does not allow substituting education for experience.
Employment Type: OTHER

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