How to Become a Park Ranger in Massachusetts

Park rangers have jobs that see them never doing the same thing two days in a row.

The park rangers have a job that is part patrolling, part educating, and part caring for the environment.

It takes a special kind of person to do the job of a park ranger well.

If you think you’d like a job that sees you outdoors most of the time, interacting with people daily, and being an advocate for nature every day, then read on to see what you need to do to make it happen.

Requirements for Becoming a Park Ranger in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has high standards for its park rangers.

First, they need to have some kind of education, such as a degree in park and recreation management, natural resources, or environmental education.

They also need to have at least two years of experience through either volunteering or participating in an internship.

Rangers must be at least 18 years old and eligible to work in the United States.

They must be certified in first aid and CPR and must pass both a background check and a drug screening.

Boston park rangers must complete a program at the Boston Park Ranger Academy.

Those rangers from the rest of the state must also complete a course at the Massachusetts Ranger Academy.

Duties of a Massachusetts Park Ranger

The duties of a park ranger in Massachusetts are varied and may be dependent upon which park they work at.

In general, park rangers:

• Manage and maintain parks
• Enforce regulations
• Provide visitor services
• Possibly perform law enforcement duties as needed
• Participate in public education
• Provide guided tours
• Develop educational programs

State Parks in Massachusetts

Ashland State Park

Located in Ashland, this park is home to a beautiful reservoir.

It encompasses 470 acres of forest, and a popular activity is taking a hike on the 3.5-mile trail around the reservoir.

Other activities to enjoy at this park are hiking, swimming, fishing, sailing, and mountain biking, and fishing.

You may want to enjoy a picnic before hitting the beach, which offers beach wheelchairs for those in need.

Winter doesn’t stop the activity, with a great many visitors enjoying cross-country skiing.

Quinsigamond State Park

This park, located in Worcester, is two parks.

The first offers visitors activities such as swimming, sailing, and fishing.

The second is home to athletic fields and a tennis court.

While visiting the parks, enjoy a picnic, swimming, rowing on the rowing course, and sailing.

These parks are accessible with both beach wheelchairs available and an accessible trail.

Boston Harbor Island State Park

The Boston Harbor Island State Park is a series of 34 islands and peninsulas, each with its character and activities.

There are rustic campsites, special events, family-friendly areas, and even an island for berry picking.

Enjoy exploring a fort, viewing one of many exhibits, or experiencing a ranger-guided tour.

Camp sites abound, and you can experience everything from cabins to rustic camp areas made for pitching a tent.

Wahconah Falls State Park

This park offers snowmobiling in the winter, but the biggest draw is during the spring, when visitors can experience the full effect of the falls.

This park offers a brook that has several small falls along its path.

At the end, you can view a forty-foot waterfall.

There is even a half-mile loop around the upper fall area for hiking.

Picnicking in this hardwood forest is a peaceful event that will have you coming back again and again.

Myles Standish State Forest Park

There are 35 miles of horseback riding trails in this Kingston park.

You can also spend the night camping in an area especially created for people with horses.

In addition to horseback riding, visitors can canoe, kayak, enjoy the beach (complete with beach mat and beach wheelchair accessibility), or visit in the winter for some cross-country skiing.

Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	University of Massachusetts at Amherst
	#2	Framingham State University

Park Ranger Salary in Massachusetts

When park rangers first enter the field in Massachusetts, they may make as little as $29,676 a year.

However, with time and experience, this increases.

The median salary for park rangers in Massachusetts is $61,370 annually.

The park rangers are also given many benefits that help them currently and in the future.

Regional Salary

* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Forest and Conservation Workers, OCC Code 45-4011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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Find Park Ranger Career Guides by State

Frequently Asked Questions

Do park rangers in Massachusetts get paid a decent amount?

Park ranger salaries in Massachusetts are based on what area the park ranger lives in and how much of experience they bring to the position.

The median salary is $61,370, and benefits include vacation time, paid holidays, a retirement plan, and insurance.

How many state parks are there in Massachusetts?

There are a total of 143 state parks in Massachusetts.

There is a park that will meet the recreational preference of nearly everyone, and most also offer ADA-accessible activities.

What is the Park Ranger Mounted Unit?

This is a special unit of park rangers that patrols on horseback.

This unit provides safety, education, and enforcement of rules.

It also provides a highly visible presence for safety and law enforcement.

Finally, this unit often conducts public educational programs.

How long does it take to become a park ranger in Massachusetts?

With training and experience, it can take anywhere from 3-5 years to become a park ranger in Massachusetts.

This state sets a high standard for all its park rangers that must be met.

This includes attending and completing a program designed specifically for park rangers.

Does Boston have special requirements for park rangers?

Boston park rangers have their academy that they must attend in order to be eligible for service in Boston.

This is because there are special duties required of park rangers within the Boston area.