by our College Data Analytics TeamFor those passionate about the preservation of natural resources and habitats, Wildlife Management is an obvious choice for a career and field of study. Wildlife Management majors learn everything from conservation of natural resources to the preservation of animal habitats to wildlife disease, so they may work closely with public officials to create policies and management plans. The major teaches how to identify and solve the many possible issues related to wildlife. This is a science based major and requires classes in biology, anatomy, ecology, and other animal sciences.
Studying Wildlife Management covers Wildlife And Wildlands Science And Management. Continue reading for the essential details every wildlife management major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering wildlife management programs.
In the U.S., wildlife management draws strong interest, with 2,419 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Wildlife Management Schools ranking analyzes these 83 schools to determine the best overall colleges for wildlife management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of wildlife management programs later in this article.
Coursework for Wildlife Management emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations wildlife management graduates commonly enter.
Critical thinking, observation, and problem solving skills are important for a career in wildlife management. You must be able to analyze animal behaviors and appearance, conduct experiments, and decide the best course of action for solving problems related to wildlife. Strong interpersonal and writing skills are also important for proper communication between other wildlife specialists, scientists, and the public. Findings will often be written in a report, paper, or article, making writing an important skill.
Wildlife Management professionals will normally enjoy a regular schedule, occasionally needing to put in irregular or longer hours. When conducting fieldwork they may find themselves out of the office and working round-the-clock to complete a project.
To get involved in wildlife management, you should try to gain experience through an internship or summer job. Some organizations that would provide excellent experience are the National Park Service or nonprofit group like The Sierra Club.
The skill set built by a wildlife management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a wildlife management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several wildlife management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 14 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 265 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,714 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 387 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 39 |
People currently working in careers related to wildlife management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.6% |
| Master’s degree | 17.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in wildlife management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Depending on the type of job, work environment for Wildlife Management graduates vary. Some work in offices, labs, or outdoors conducting fieldwork. The majority of graduates are employed by state or federal governments or by privately owned companies. Since this major equips graduates with the skills to assess how changes can affect wildlife, some people may be hired by contracting companies or builders concerned with decreasing their environmental impact.
Those with master's degrees will have an easier time finding jobs in their field and are more likely to advance quicker. If you are interested in independent research, you must have a Ph.D.A degree in wildlife management can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to wildlife management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to wildlife management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 159,217 | -1.2% |
| Park Naturalists | 46,677 | 9.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of wildlife management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,560 |
| 4 years | $38,597 |
| 5 years | $44,355 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for wildlife management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers wildlife management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
| Range Managers | $59,935 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $55,554 |
With 83 different wildlife management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased wildlife management school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in wildlife management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management | 2,419 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 23,853 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,090 |
| Forestry | 2,460 |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | 407 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Other | 132 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
