Careers for people who like working outdoors include lineworker, landscaper, arborist, firefighter, forester, wildlife biologist, environmental scientist, park ranger and land surveyor. Some start with an apprenticeship or on-the-job training; others need a bachelor’s degree or a state license. Before you choose, be honest about weather, seasonal work and physical demands, because outdoor jobs are outdoors on the bad days too.
What outdoor work really asks of you
Liking the outdoors on a hike is different from working in rain, heat or cold for a full shift. Many outdoor careers also involve time indoors: writing reports, analyzing samples or planning jobs. Safety training is constant, because heights, heavy equipment, wildlife and remote sites all carry real risk. Some people want to be outside almost all day; others are happy with a mix. Knowing which you want narrows the list fast.
Outdoor careers by training route
Start on the job or in an apprenticeship
- Lineworker: Building and repairing power lines at height, in all weather, after a long paid apprenticeship. See how to become a lineworker.
- Landscaper or groundskeeper: Hiring is often entry-level, and experience can lead to running crews or a business.
- Arborist or tree trimmer: Climbing and cutting skills are learned on crews; a voluntary industry credential helps later.
- Carpenter: Framing and construction carpentry keep you outside most of the year. See how to become a carpenter.
Certificate, academy or associate degree
- Firefighter: Usually an EMT credential and a fire academy; wildland crews spend whole seasons outdoors. See how to become a firefighter.
- Police officer on patrol: Academy training and much of the shift in the field, not at a desk. See how to become a police officer.
- Forestry or conservation technician: An associate degree or field experience leads to work on trails, timber and habitat projects.
Bachelor’s degree
- Forester: A forestry degree, and in some states a license or registration, to manage public and private land.
- Wildlife biologist: Field surveys and data work; research and lead roles often need a master’s.
- Environmental scientist: Sampling soil, water and air, then writing up what you find.
- Park ranger: Federal and state ranger jobs are competitive and often seasonal at first; many rangers hold degrees in natural resources or related fields.
- Geologist: Fieldwork for mapping, environmental and resource projects, plus lab and office time.
License or graduate degree
- Land surveyor: Licensed by the state after education, supervised experience and national and state exams; requirements vary.
- Landscape architect: Designing parks and public spaces, with a state license after an accredited degree.
- Research ecologist: Usually a master’s or doctorate, with field seasons and long writing stretches.
Our guides to what you can do with an environmental science degree and a biology degree cover the science route in depth. Browse the college majors guide and all our career paths, and check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for pay and outlook.
The honest tradeoffs
- Seasons: some outdoor work slows or stops in winter, so plan for uneven income early on.
- Your body: lifting, climbing and long days on your feet add up over a career. Many people move into supervision, inspection or planning later.
- Location: conservation and resource jobs may be far from cities, and early jobs may require moving.
How to test the fit
- Work a summer job on a landscaping, trail or conservation crew; our teen summer plan guide shows how to find one.
- Volunteer with a park, watershed or habitat restoration group on a cold or rainy day, not only a nice one.
- Ask foresters, lineworkers or surveyors in informational interviews how much of the week they actually spend outside.
- Compare training routes in how to choose a trade and trade school vs college.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor helps a student or young adult sort outdoor options, find seasonal jobs and volunteer roles, plan applications for programs, apprenticeships or ranger jobs, and keep steady through training. Mentors are not credentialed career counselors or licensing experts; they help you do the research and follow through. See our career and education mentoring and young adult mentoring.
Related
- Career path guides
- Careers for people who love animals
- Careers for people who like working with their hands
- Gap year ideas
- Careers for People Who Love Sports (Beyond Going Pro)
- Careers for People Who Like Math, by Training Route
Common questions
What outdoor jobs do not need a degree?
Lineworker, landscaper, arborist, construction carpenter and many firefighting jobs start with apprenticeships, academies or on-the-job training rather than a four-year degree.
Are outdoor jobs seasonal?
Some are, especially landscaping, park and wildland fire work. Others, like line work and surveying, run all year.
What degree is best for working outdoors?
Forestry, environmental science, biology, geology and natural resources are common. Look for programs with field courses and internships.
How do I become a park ranger?
Many rangers start with seasonal jobs and a degree in natural resources or a related field. Federal and state agencies post openings and requirements on their own job sites.
Get started
Want help finding an outdoor career and a plan to get there? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.