Range Managers

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

SOC: 19-1031.02

Common Job Titles

Natural Resource SpecialistRange TechnicianRangeland Management SpecialistResource Manager

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • KnowledgeDesign sustainable grazing strategies and range management plans integrating biological, geographic, and regulatory knowledge to balance livestock production with ecosystem health.
  • KnowledgeFormulate adaptive management strategies for fire, invasive species, and climate impacts synthesizing ecological research, monitoring data, and predictive modeling to address emerging threats.
  • KnowledgeEvaluate rangeland conditions and forage production capacity using field assessments and ecological site data to determine compliance with sustainable management standards.
  • KnowledgeAnalyze geospatial and ecological data from GIS systems and GPS devices to assess vegetation patterns, soil characteristics, and wildlife habitat quality in range environments.
  • KnowledgeAppraise environmental impacts and resource conflicts considering stakeholder needs, legal requirements, and long-term ecological sustainability.
  • Hands-onOperate field monitoring equipment including infiltrometers, soil sampling tools, and plant canopy analyzers in remote rangeland settings to collect quantitative ecological data.
  • Hands-onExecute field surveys and physical assessments of rangeland vegetation and soil conditions traversing varied terrain to inspect structures, identify species, and document resource status.
  • MindsetIntegrate stakeholder perspectives and scientific evidence in range management decisions when resolving conflicts between livestock producers, conservation groups, and regulatory agencies.
  • MindsetAdvocate sustainable land use practices and conservation principles through public outreach, landowner education, and collaborative partnerships.
  • KnowledgeInterpret biological and environmental monitoring results for diverse audiences including land managers, policymakers, and the public, using written reports and visual presentations.
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Range Managers (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

25,590

Wage Distribution by Percentile

MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$45,260
10% of workers earn the following or more$107,720
Workers on average earn$74,310

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Biology4.0/5
  • English Language3.8/5
  • Geography3.6/5
  • Law and Government3.5/5
  • Administration and Management3.5/5
Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

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

Technology Skills

Aquatic Plant Information Retrieval System APIRSAutomated Geospatial Watershed Assessment AGWABehavePlusClark Labs IDRISI SelvaCorridorDesignerData mining softwareESRI softwareESSA Technologies Path Landscape Model

Tools & Equipment

Compact digital camerasDesktop computersDouble-ring infiltrometersGlobal positioning system GPS devicesGram scalesHand sievesImpact penetrometersLaptop computers