What is a Range Manager?
Range Manager Job Description Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
A Day in the Life of a Range Manager
- Plan and direct construction and maintenance of range improvements such as fencing, corrals, stock-watering reservoirs and soil-erosion control structures.
- Study rangeland management practices and research range problems to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
- Mediate agreements among rangeland users and preservationists as to appropriate land use and management.
- Study forage plants and their growth requirements to determine varieties best suited to particular range.
- Regulate grazing, and help ranchers plan and organize grazing systems in order to manage, improve and protect rangelands and maximize their use.
- Develop new and improved instruments and techniques for activities such as range reseeding.
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Skills Needed to be a Range Manager
Below is a list of the skills most Range Managers say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Wildlife Refuge Manager
- Natural Resources Officer
- Wildlife Refuge Specialist
- Wildlife Manager
- Habitat Biologist
Job Outlook for Range Managers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 22,300 jobs in the United States for Range Manager. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,400 new jobs for Range Manager by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,000 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Range Manager are Colorado, New Hampshire, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, New Mexico, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Range Manager Make?
Range Managers make between $34,020 and $98,450 a year.

Range Managers who work in Connecticut, Alaska, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Range Managers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $59,310 |
Alaska | $93,390 |
Arizona | $71,190 |
Arkansas | $70,630 |
California | $75,980 |
Colorado | $71,170 |
Connecticut | $87,710 |
Delaware | $55,300 |
Florida | $40,620 |
Georgia | $69,390 |
Hawaii | $68,360 |
Idaho | $66,510 |
Illinois | $63,840 |
Indiana | $63,320 |
Iowa | $56,820 |
Kansas | $68,910 |
Kentucky | $67,440 |
Louisiana | $61,430 |
Maine | $61,970 |
Maryland | $79,070 |
Massachusetts | $72,200 |
Michigan | $63,460 |
Minnesota | $72,650 |
Mississippi | $54,870 |
Missouri | $57,580 |
Montana | $64,480 |
Nebraska | $65,300 |
Nevada | $61,670 |
New Hampshire | $72,160 |
New Jersey | $85,360 |
New Mexico | $68,710 |
North Carolina | $61,780 |
North Dakota | $64,900 |
Ohio | $55,550 |
Oklahoma | $64,330 |
Oregon | $76,790 |
Pennsylvania | $55,200 |
South Carolina | $56,220 |
South Dakota | $62,390 |
Tennessee | $68,440 |
Texas | $57,990 |
Utah | $63,720 |
Vermont | $55,150 |
Virginia | $75,370 |
Washington | $65,120 |
West Virginia | $50,210 |
Wisconsin | $65,610 |
Wyoming | $71,180 |
What Tools do Range Managers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Range Managers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Linux
- UNIX
- R
- Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Data mining software
- Geographic resources analysis support system GRASS
- GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP
- FARSITE
- FlamMap
Becoming a Range Manager
Learn what Range Manager education requirements there are.

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Range Managers Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Range Managers work:

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Range Manager might also be interested in the following careers:
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Are you already one of the many Range Manager in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Lynn Betts via Photo by Lynn Betts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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