Range Managers

19-1031.02 Zone 4 — Considerable Preparation Needed

Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

Also known as: Conservationist, Forestry and Wildlife Manager, Land Management Supervisor, Natural Resource Management Specialist, Natural Resource Manager, Natural Resource Officer, Natural Resource Specialist, Natural Resources Officer, ...

Annual Salary

$67,950

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$53,190 25th – 75th percentile $87,980
10th percentile $45,260
90th percentile $107,720
U.S. Employment: 25,590

Job Outlook

+3.4%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 2,500 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Bachelor's degree

What You'd Do

  • Measure and assess vegetation resources for biological assessment companies, environmental impact statements, and rangeland monitoring programs.
  • Maintain soil stability and vegetation for non-grazing uses, such as wildlife habitats and outdoor recreation.
  • Mediate agreements among rangeland users and preservationists as to appropriate land use and management.
  • Manage forage resources through fire, herbicide use, or revegetation to maintain a sustainable yield from the land.
  • Study rangeland management practices and research range problems to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
  • Offer advice to rangeland users on water management, forage production methods, and control of brush.
  • Plan and direct construction and maintenance of range improvements, such as fencing, corrals, stock-watering reservoirs, and soil-erosion control structures.
  • Tailor conservation plans to landowners' goals, such as livestock support, wildlife, or recreation.
  • Develop technical standards and specifications used to manage, protect, and improve the natural resources of range lands and related grazing lands.
  • Study grazing patterns to determine number and kind of livestock that can be most profitably grazed and to determine the best grazing seasons.

Top Skills

Active Listening 4.0
Reading Comprehension 3.9
Speaking 3.8
Critical Thinking 3.8
Complex Problem Solving 3.6
Monitoring 3.6
Judgment and Decision Making 3.6
Coordination 3.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Biology 4.0
English Language 3.8
Geography 3.6
Law and Government 3.6
Administration and Management 3.5
Administrative 3.5
Customer and Personal Service 3.4
Public Safety and Security 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Bachelor's
80.3%
Associate's
9.7%
Master's
9.2%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Adobe Photoshop ESRI ArcGIS software Facebook Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Oracle Java Perl Python R SAS The MathWorks MATLAB UNIX

Other Tools

Aquatic Plant Information Retrieval System APIRS Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment AGWA BehavePlus Clark Labs IDRISI Selva CorridorDesigner Data mining software ESRI software ESSA Technologies Path Landscape Model ESSA TechnologiesTool for Exploratory Landscape Scenario Analyses TELSA FARSITE FEAT/Firemon integrated FFI Fire Spread Probability FSPro

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.3
Dependability
2.1
Integrity
1.9
Attention to Detail
1.9
Intellectual Curiosity
1.8
Leadership Orientation
1.8
Perseverance
1.8
Initiative

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Written Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Oral Comprehension 3.9
Written Expression 3.9
Problem Sensitivity 3.9
Deductive Reasoning 3.8
Inductive Reasoning 3.8
Speech Clarity 3.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.6
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.4
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 4.4
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 4.3
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others 4.3
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.3
Developing Objectives and Strategies 4.2
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public 4.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.9
Telephone Conversations
4.7
Contact With Others
4.6
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.6
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.5
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.4
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.4
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.3
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
4.3
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.2
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
4.0

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.