Park Naturalists
Machines can already do 32% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 58%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Park Naturalists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 32% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 58% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 25,950 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $73,010 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 86% for contact with people.
- Also called: Environmental Education Specialist, Environmental Educator, Interpretive Naturalist, Interpretive Park Ranger.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas | 17% | 35% to 58% | |
| Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features | 15% | 35% to 58% | |
| Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions | 12% | 35% to 58% | |
| Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Plan and organize public events at the park | 5% | 40% to 75% | |
| Develop environmental educational programs and curricula for schools | 5% | 35% to 65% | |
| Plan, organize and direct activities of seasonal staff members | 4% | 20% to 40% | |
| Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs | 4% | 45% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills park naturalists use most, most used first.
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Park Naturalists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of park naturalists?
Machines can do 32% of the tasks of park naturalists today and 58% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-1031.03 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Park Naturalists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/park-naturalists/