Park Ranger

If you’re experiencing a severe case of cabin fever in the office cubicle, then an escape into nature -- and not just for a vacation -- might be the best remedy.

There’s a more permanent way to reconnect with your wild side and still bring home a paycheck. Our prescription: National park ranger.

Natural Park Service employees manage a wide variety of protected areas, from vast wildernesses to city parks. Historical sites, nature preserves and recreational areas are all guarded by the men and women we call park rangers. Wherever you work, you’ll have to be active -- and we don’t just mean in the physical sense.

Rangers wear many hats, from law enforcement officer to naturalist. They ensure the safety of park visitors, prepare exhibits, lead tours and nature walks, and develop conservation programs. Rangers also have to perform managerial tasks, such as assigning campsites.

It takes more than an appreciation for flora and fauna to protect the country’s most cherished natural territories. To get the job, you’ll have to hit the books.

Park rangers need at least a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies to get hired by the National Park Service. The prime majors are park management, natural history, forestry or outdoor recreation. Before you become a full-fledged ranger, you’ll also have to work for two to five years as a part-time ranger.

You may want to become a park ranger to escape from desks and books, but the drudgery will pay off in the end. The starting salary for a summer ranger with a college degree is $18,687. Permanent rangers earn $20,908 to $31,680, depending on college degrees and experience.

So office drones, if you hear the call of the wild, then unpack that briefcase, loose the suit and lace up the hiking boots -- your dream job as a ranger is waiting.