How To Become A Naturalist

Written by Dr. Marcus Hale, PhD, Last Updated: February 12, 2026

A naturalist studies how living species interact with each other and their environments through field observation and research. Most naturalists work for government agencies, conservation organizations, or educational institutions, earning a median salary of $68,580 according to 2023 BLS data. The field requires at least a bachelor's degree in biology or environmental science, with master's degrees increasingly preferred for competitive positions.

When we think of "naturalist," our minds often turn to Charles Darwin's groundbreaking work aboard The Beagle, or more recently, the passionate conservation efforts of Steve and Terri Irwin or Sir David Attenborough's captivating documentaries. Naturalism is one of humanity's oldest sciences, yet it remains surprisingly relevant in today's environmental challenges. You might be wondering: what exactly does a modern naturalist do, and is this career path right for you?

Here's what makes naturalism unique. While it's rooted in biology and the biological sciences, naturalists focus less on genetics and more on relationships-how species interact with their environments and with one another. Think of it as the study of nature's interconnected web, where every observation tells part of a larger story about evolution, adaptation, and survival.

What Does a Naturalist Do?

Naturalists spend most of their time outside rather than in laboratories. They're the scientists who study ecology, natural selection, sexual selection, and environmental factors that shape life on Earth. Their work bridges environmental biology, evolutionary science, and field research in ways that few other careers do.

In practical terms, naturalists examine evolutionary markers to understand why certain traits benefit a species, or what environmental conditions might have triggered genetic diversity within populations. They'll compare living organisms and zoological specimens with the fossil record to determine when species diverged, where specific traits originated, and how these changes occurred over time.

What sets naturalists apart is their focus on observation rather than laboratory experimentation. While they may collaborate with geneticists, their primary tools are field notes, photographs, behavioral observations, and environmental measurements compiled over extended periods in natural settings.

A Day in the Life of a Naturalist

Your daily work as a naturalist varies dramatically depending on your project and season. Here's what two typical days might look like:

Field Observation Day

You're up before sunrise at a protected wetland area. Your morning starts with setting up camera traps and checking yesterday's footage for nocturnal species behavior. From 7am to noon, you're hiking transect routes, documenting plant phenology (blooming stages), recording bird calls, and noting any signs of animal activity-tracks, scat, browse marks on vegetation.

Lunch happens on a fallen log while you transcribe voice notes into your field journal. The afternoon involves water quality testing at three pond sites, collecting soil samples near patches of invasive species, and photographing a rare orchid population you've been monitoring. By 6 pm, you're downloading camera trap data and organizing specimens you've collected under proper permits. Your notes describe not just what you observed, but weather conditions, human activity in the area, and any changes since your last visit.

Analysis and Reporting Day

Back in the office or research station, you spend the morning processing last week's field data. You're comparing current population counts against historical records, looking for trends that might indicate environmental stress or recovery. Mid-morning, you join a video call with park managers to discuss your preliminary findings on the invasive species spread.

After lunch, you draft sections of a monitoring report that will inform habitat management decisions, complete with data tables, maps, and photographs. You also prep materials for a public presentation next week-rangers and educators need to understand the ecological changes you're documenting. The day ends with reviewing scientific literature on similar ecosystems in other regions, looking for insights that might apply to your study area.

Where Does a Naturalist Work?

According to 2023 employment data, naturalists find work across several sectors, with government agencies leading the field. Here's where naturalists and biological scientists were employed:

State government (33% of positions) employs the largest share of naturalists. You'll find these roles in state parks, wildlife management areas, and departments of natural resources. Work focuses on conservation, species monitoring, public health assessments, and public outreach. This category excludes healthcare and traditional education but includes environmental education programs and local conservation groups funded by state agencies.

The federal government (21% of positions) offers careers with agencies such as the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. These positions often involve broader research mandates, policy input, and interstate conservation efforts.

Scientific and technical consulting services (10% of positions) provide contract-based work, often for government clients but without direct government employment. You might support university research projects, provide expert testimony in environmental cases, or conduct specialized ecological assessments. This sector offers variety but less job security than government positions.

Research and development in physical sciences (8% of positions) includes pharmaceutical and biotech companies researching natural compounds for medical applications. Work splits between field collection and laboratory analysis, focusing on how natural properties might translate to treatments.

Education (7% of positions) spans high schools, community colleges, and universities. Roles range from teaching and lab assistance to associate professorships and research positions.

What to Expect Physically

Field naturalist work is physically demanding. You'll hike several miles daily over uneven terrain, often carrying 20-30 pounds of equipment. Weather doesn't stop research-you'll work in rain, heat, cold, and humidity. Expect insect bites, poison ivy exposure, and the occasional close encounter with wildlife. Many positions involve seasonal work with peak activity during spring and summer breeding seasons.

Travel requirements vary by position. State park naturalists might work within a single park system, while federal researchers could travel between multiple field sites regionally or nationally. Most positions require a valid driver's license and comfort with remote locations where cell service is limited or nonexistent.

What Is the Average Naturalist Salary?

Naturalist salaries vary significantly by employer, experience level, and geographic location. According to 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, naturalists and conservation scientists earned the following:

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range	Typical Employer
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$42,000 - $52,000	State parks, seasonal positions
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$58,000 - $72,000	Federal agencies, consulting firms
Senior (8+ years)	$78,000 - $95,000+	Federal research positions, senior state roles
National Median	$68,580	All sectors combined

The lowest 10% of earners reported salaries below $44,500, while the highest 10% earned more than $105,000 annually. Federal government positions consistently offer the highest compensation, with median salaries around $82,400, reflecting both higher base pay and better benefits packages.

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential. Naturalists working in higher cost-of-living areas or regions with robust environmental programs typically earn more than the national median. Specialized skills-such as GIS proficiency, statistical modeling, or rare species expertise-can also command higher salaries.

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Naturalist Jobs & Job Description

Entry-level naturalists need strong foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and geography. Early-career job descriptions typically include:

• Field observation and documentation: Observe plants and animals in natural habitats, assess environmental and industrial impacts on living organisms, and record findings through detailed field notes and photography
• Population surveys: Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations using standardized scientific methods
• Experimental study design: Organize and conduct experimental studies in natural surroundings, following research protocols
• Scientific communication: Analyze data and communicate findings by writing reports and scientific papers, creating presentations for schools, community groups, conservation organizations, and park interpretive programs
• Specimen preparation: Prepare collections of preserved specimens or microscopic slides for scientific study and institutional archives

Senior naturalists typically spend more time in offices or laboratories, analyzing field data and designing research studies. Additional senior-level responsibilities include:

• Data analysis and mentorship: Provide analytical oversight of field notes and data collected by junior naturalists, and ensure quality control standards
• Conservation recommendations: Make evidence-based recommendations for natural resource preservation, habitat management, and species conservation strategies
• Public engagement: Inform and educate the public on wildlife issues, conservation challenges, plant identification, and nuisance wildlife management
• Grant writing and program management: Secure funding for research projects, manage budgets, and coordinate multi-site studies

Essential Skills for Naturalists

Success as a naturalist requires a blend of technical knowledge, observational abilities, and communication skills. Here's what matters most:

Skill Category	Required Skills	Helpful But Not Required
Technical Knowledge	Species identification, ecological principles, basic statistics, field research methods	GIS mapping, advanced statistical software, genetic analysis techniques
Observational Abilities	Attention to detail, pattern recognition, systematic note-taking, photography skills	Specialized equipment operation (radio telemetry, drones)
Physical Capabilities	Stamina for extended fieldwork, comfort in outdoor conditions, ability to carry equipment	Advanced wilderness skills (rock climbing, diving certification)
Communication	Scientific writing, data visualization, public speaking, grant writing	Foreign language skills, teaching certification
Interpersonal	Teamwork, collaboration with diverse stakeholders, mentoring	Conflict resolution, community organizing

Career Progression Timeline

Understanding the typical career path helps you set realistic expectations. Here's how naturalist careers generally develop:

Years 0-2 (Entry-Level Field Technician): You'll start with seasonal or temporary positions conducting field surveys under supervision. Expect to follow established protocols, learn species identification, and develop field skills. Many new graduates work multiple seasonal positions before securing permanent employment.

Years 3-5 (Field Naturalist): With experience, you'll lead specific monitoring projects, train newer technicians, and contribute to study design. Your observations inform management decisions, and you begin developing specialized expertise in particular ecosystems or species groups.

Years 6-10 (Senior Naturalist/Research Biologist): At this stage, you design studies, manage budgets, write grants, and mentor junior staff. You're recognized for expertise in your focus area and may serve on advisory committees or working groups. Publication in scientific journals becomes increasingly important.

Years 10+ (Program Manager/Principal Investigator): Senior positions involve strategic planning, policy input, and program-level decisions. You might oversee multiple projects, manage substantial budgets, and represent your organization in high-level conservation planning. Academic positions at this level include associate or full professorships.

What Is the Job Demand for Naturalists?

The job outlook for naturalists requires honest discussion. According to current Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, conservation scientists and foresters-the category that includes naturalists-are projected to grow by approximately 5-7% through 2032. While this represents some growth, it's slower than many other environmental science fields.

Here's what's driving these trends. Heavy reliance on government funding at the federal and state levels means that budget priorities directly impact job availability. Economic downturns or shifts in political priorities can lead to hiring freezes or position eliminations. Many agencies aren't filling positions when naturalists retire or move on, instead redistributing responsibilities among the remaining staff.

However, there's reason for cautious optimism. Private conservation organizations, land trusts, and environmental consulting firms are gradually expanding. Growing public awareness of biodiversity loss and ecosystem health is generating demand for naturalist expertise in impact assessments, conservation planning, and restoration projects. Academia continues to offer positions, though these are highly competitive and often require doctoral degrees.

Your best strategy? Develop skills that make you versatile. Naturalists with GIS proficiency, statistical modeling capabilities, strong grant-writing abilities, or specialized expertise in threatened ecosystems find more opportunities. Consider geographic flexibility-some regions have stronger conservation funding and more positions available. And be prepared for a mix of seasonal and permanent work, especially early in your career.

Is a Naturalist Career Right for You?

Before committing to this career path, honestly assess your fit. Consider these questions:

Do you genuinely enjoy spending extended time outdoors? We're talking months of fieldwork in heat, cold, rain, and challenging conditions. If you prefer climate-controlled environments, this might not be your calling.

Can you handle uncertainty and seasonal employment? Many naturalists piece together seasonal positions for several years before landing permanent roles. Job security isn't a given, especially early in your career.

Are you comfortable with modest earnings? While salaries reach comfortable levels eventually, you won't get rich as a naturalist. If financial security is a top priority, weigh this carefully.

Do you find satisfaction in slow, incremental progress? Naturalist work rarely produces dramatic breakthroughs. You're building long-term datasets, documenting gradual changes, and contributing small pieces to larger conservation efforts.

Can you work independently for long periods? Field naturalists often work alone or in small teams in remote locations. If you need constant social interaction, the isolation might be challenging.

Are you passionate about observation and documentation? The core of naturalist work is careful, systematic observation. If meticulous note-taking and repeated monitoring don't appeal to you, reconsider this path.

If you answered "yes" to most of these questions, naturalism could be deeply rewarding. The career offers the rare privilege of spending your working life in wild places, contributing meaningful knowledge about how nature functions, and helping protect biodiversity for future generations.

Naturalist vs. Related Careers

Prospective naturalists often wonder how this career differs from closely related fields. Here's a practical comparison:

Career	Primary Focus	Typical Work Setting	Median Salary
Naturalist	Species interactions, field observation, evolutionary relationships	Field-heavy (70% field / 30% office)	$68,580
Wildlife Biologist	Animal populations, habitat management, wildlife behavior	Balanced field and office work	$70,600
Ecologist	Ecosystem function, energy flow, nutrient cycling	Mixed (50% field / 50% lab or office)	$76,480
Conservation Scientist	Land management, resource protection, policy implementation	Office-heavy (30% field / 70% office)	$68,580

Key distinctions: Naturalists emphasize observational fieldwork and evolutionary relationships more than other biology careers. Wildlife biologists focus more narrowly on animals and often work more extensively with management applications. Ecologists tend to work at the systems level, studying processes such as decomposition and predator-prey dynamics rather than individual species. Conservation scientists spend more time on land management policy and less time on basic biological observation.

Many professionals combine elements of these roles-a naturalist working for a state wildlife agency might function as both naturalist and wildlife biologist. The boundaries aren't rigid, and career paths often evolve over time.

What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Naturalist?

Naturalism draws from multiple academic disciplines: biology, chemistry, evolutionary science, mathematics, and geography. High school students planning this career path need strong performance in these subjects to gain admission to relevant college programs.

Because of this breadth, several degree pathways can lead to careers as naturalists. Strong options include biology and biological sciences, wildlife management, environmental biology, and even forestry programs with strong ecological components. Any degree that integrates life sciences with geoscience provides solid preparation.

Strategic degree selection matters. If you pursue a geography degree, make sure your minors and electives emphasize biology and ecology. Conversely, biology students should include coursework in environmental sciences, geospatial analysis, and field methods. The most employable candidates combine biological knowledge with practical field skills and data analysis capabilities.

Graduate education is increasingly important. While some entry-level field technician positions accept bachelor's degrees, competitive permanent positions typically require master's degrees. Given the slowdown in hiring and strong competition for available positions, a master's degree significantly improves your employment prospects. Master's programs allow you to develop specialized expertise, build research credentials, and establish professional networks essential for career advancement.

Doctoral degrees serve specific career goals. Pursue a Ph.D. if you're targeting high-level research positions with federal agencies, seeking decision-making roles in conservation policy, or planning academic careers. Doctorates require 4-6 years beyond your master's and are necessary for professorship positions and principal investigator roles in major research programs.

Practical experience matters as much as formal education. Seek internships, volunteer positions, and seasonal work during your undergraduate years. Many programs offer summer field courses-take them. Join faculty research projects. The naturalists who succeed combine strong academic credentials with extensive field experience before graduation.

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What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Naturalists Have?

Naturalism's long history has generated an extensive network of professional organizations supporting career development, knowledge sharing, and advocacy:

• American Society of Naturalists: For professionals and serious amateurs, this organization advances evolutionary biology and natural history through research support and publication of The American Naturalist, a leading peer-reviewed journal in the field
• British Entomological and Natural History Society: With international membership despite UK origins, this society covers all aspects of natural history, with particular strength in entomology and invertebrate ecology
• The Wildlife Society: Brings together professionals working across wildlife biology, ecology, evolution, and environmental management. Offers certification programs, annual conferences, and regional chapter networking

Membership in these organizations provides access to job boards, professional development workshops, annual conferences for networking, and scientific journals that help you stay current with developments in the field. Many also offer student membership rates and early-career support programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a naturalist?

A naturalist is a type of biologist who studies how living species interact with each other and their environments through field observation and research. Unlike geneticists or laboratory biologists, naturalists focus on understanding evolutionary relationships, ecological connections, and species behavior primarily through fieldwork in natural settings. They examine environmental factors that influence biodiversity, adaptation, and survival.

What does a naturalist do on a daily basis?

Daily work varies significantly by project and season. Field days typically involve hiking survey routes, documenting plant and animal species, taking photographs, recording environmental conditions, collecting specimens (under permit), and maintaining detailed notes. Office days include analyzing field data, writing reports, preparing presentations, reviewing scientific literature, and communicating findings to managers or the public. Most naturalists split time between intensive field seasons and data analysis periods.

How much do naturalists make?

According to 2023 BLS data, naturalists and conservation scientists earn a median salary of $68,580 nationally. Entry-level positions typically start around $42,000-$52,000, while experienced naturalists earn $58,000-$72,000. Senior positions at federal agencies or research institutions can pay $78,000-$95,000 or more. Federal government positions consistently offer the highest compensation, with median salaries around $82,400. Geographic location and specialized skills significantly impact earning potential.

What degree do I need to become a naturalist?

Most entry-level naturalist positions require at least a bachelor's degree in biology, environmental biology, wildlife management, forestry, or related life sciences. However, competitive permanent positions increasingly require master's degrees due to strong applicant pools and limited openings. Your degree should include substantial coursework in ecology, evolutionary biology, field research methods, and statistics. Practical field experience through internships, seasonal positions, or research projects is as important as your formal degree.

What's the difference between a naturalist and a wildlife biologist?

While both careers involve studying living organisms, naturalists focus on observational field study of how all species (plants and animals) interact within their environments, emphasizing evolutionary relationships and ecosystem connections. Wildlife biologists focus on animal populations, their behavior, habitat needs, and management. Wildlife biologists typically split time more evenly between fieldwork and office-based analysis, while naturalists spend a higher percentage of time in field settings conducting observational research.

Is the job market good for naturalists?

The job market is competitive but stable. BLS projects 5-7% growth through 2032, which is slower than in many other environmental science fields. Government budget constraints limit growth in positions, and agencies often don't fill vacancies when naturalists retire. However, opportunities exist for well-prepared candidates, especially those with master's degrees, GIS skills, statistical expertise, and geographic flexibility. Expect to work several seasonal or temporary positions before securing permanent employment. Private conservation organizations and consulting firms are gradually expanding, providing alternatives to government careers.

Key Takeaways

• Field-First Career: Naturalists spend 60-70% of their time outdoors conducting observational research, making this ideal for those who thrive in nature rather than laboratories or offices.
• Competitive Entry Requirements: While bachelor's degrees open some doors, master's degrees are increasingly necessary for permanent positions, given limited openings and strong competition among candidates.
• Modest but Stable Compensation: Median salaries around $68,580 provide comfortable middle-class earnings, with federal positions offering the highest pay at approximately $82,400. Expect lower starting salaries and gradual progression.
• Government-Dependent Job Market: With 54% of positions in state or federal agencies, job availability directly ties to government funding priorities. Budget cuts can significantly impact opportunities, making geographic flexibility and diverse skills essential.
• Long-Term Contribution Focus: Success requires patience for incremental progress-you'll build multi-year datasets and contribute to gradual conservation outcomes rather than seeking immediate, dramatic results. The work rewards those passionate about systematic observation and long-term ecological understanding.

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Dr. Marcus Hale, PhD Dr. Marcus Hale is a dedicated environmental scientist with a deep commitment to conservation and sustainable solutions. Holding a PhD from the University of Florida, he has spent over 15 years in the field, from hands-on restoration projects with The Nature Conservancy to advising on policy and climate resilience. His research and publications focus on protecting ecosystems and guiding the next generation toward impactful green careers. Outside of work, Marcus enjoys kayaking in Florida's waterways and volunteering with local environmental education programs. See Full Bio

2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for conservation scientists and foresters reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2026.