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Research & DevelopmentGrowingBright Outlook

Range Manager

Mid-level

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

Research & DevelopmentBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a Range Manager, you study and research rangelands to ensure sustainable production of forage, livestock, and wildlife. You'll spend time analyzing land conditions and developing management plans. This role involves a lot of communication through email, phone calls, and face-to-face discussions with colleagues. You often work outdoors, sometimes from an enclosed vehicle, making important decisions about land use. This job is ideal for those who enjoy science, nature, critical thinking, and balancing ecological health with agricultural needs.
Rangeland ManagementWildlife ManagementForage ScienceLivestock ManagementEnvironmental ScienceAgricultureEcologyResearchAgriculturalOutdoors

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
Adobe PhotoshopESRI ArcGIS softwareFacebookLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOracle JavaPerlPythonRSASThe MathWorks MATLABUNIX

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+5.3%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

2,100

per year (US)

Jobs today

27,700

in 2025 → 29,200 (2035)

Typical entry education

Bachelor's degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
High
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
High
Time pressure
Moderate
Time spent sitting
Moderate
Working outdoors
High
Indoor, climate-controlled
Moderate
Dealing with customers
High
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

This career has a growing outlook, with about 2,100 job openings expected each year through 2035. The median annual wage for this role is about $73,010. You can advance from this role by gaining experience and specializing, moving into positions such as Senior Range Ecologist or Land Management Director.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Agricultural Technician
  • Conservation Assistant
  • Field Researcher

Where it can lead

  • Senior Range Ecologist
  • Land Management Director
  • Environmental Policy Analyst

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will significantly impact Range Managers by enabling advanced data analysis for land use optimization, predictive modeling for forage growth and wildlife movements, and automated monitoring via drones and remote sensing. This will enhance efficiency in resource allocation and improve conservation strategies. AI tools will help in better decision-making for sustainable rangeland management.

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Salary

$73,010

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

Relevant Studies

Based on job level & field

Range Science and Management

Bachelor • Nature & Environment • 4 years

Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management

Bachelor • Nature & Environment • 4 years

Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture

Bachelor • Nature & Environment • 4 years

Ecology

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Livestock Management

Bachelor • Nature & Environment • 4 years

Botany/Plant Biology

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

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