10 Awesome Outdoor Jobs

Because you know that even the cushiest office simply can’t compete with the open sky.

10 Awesome Outdoor Jobs

Outdoor jobs' perks include fresh air and sunlight.

Outdoor jobs attract a certain kind of person, one who is immune to flashy, trendy workplace stuff. A regular ol' job can offer you a swanky office with all the latest perks—from state-of-the-art cappuccino machines to nap pods to free lunch—but if you're the kind of person who gets itchy at the thought of a cubicle or office, none of that fancy stuff will matter.

There are plenty of outdoor careers that require you to spend the bulk—if not the entirety—of your workday in the fresh air, far from the glare of fluorescent lighting.

Using Monster data, we found 10 outdoor jobs that let you get back to nature.

10 Awesome Outdoor Jobs

  1. Environmental Scientist
  2. Farm Worker
  3. Forest and Conservation Worker
  4. Forest and Wildland Fighter
  5. Landscape Architect
  6. Logging Worker
  7. Mason
  8. Recreation Worker
  9. Survey Technician
  10. Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist

1. Environmental Scientist

What you'd do: Environmental science offers a vast array of outdoor careers, but all jobs under that umbrella seek to learn about and eliminate hazards that affect the health of the planet and its inhabitants. Additionally, environmental scientists work with policymakers and industries to reduce waste. They spend some time in the laboratory but are otherwise outside to collect data.
What you need: A bachelor's degree is the starting point.
What you'd make: The median salary for an environmental scientist is around $72,000 per year.

Find environmental scientist jobs on Monster.

2. Farm Worker

What you'd do: If you're more suited to life on the farm than the concrete jungle of corporate America, check out a career in agriculture, which is full of various outdoor jobs to choose from. Farm workers maintain farms, crops, and animal stock, and typically work with machinery when not doing manual labor.
What you'd need: No formal education is required; on-the-job training is typically provided.
What you'd make: The median pay for a farm worker is $13.50 per hour.

Find farm worker jobs on Monster.

3. Forest and Conservation Worker

What you'd do: If you've ever been referred to as a tree-hugger, consider becoming a forest and conservation worker. They help maintain, improve and protect forests. Among their duties, they take inventory of trees, checking to see if any are diseased and need to be removed, and also plant and transport seedlings.
What you need: People in this position must have a high-school diploma and complete on-the-job training.
What you'd make: The median pay for a forest/conservation worker is $18 per hour.

Find forest and conservation worker jobs on Monster.

4. Forest and Wildland Firefighter

What you'd do: Not for the faint of heart, wildland firefighters are on the frontlines of extinguishing forest fires for state, federal, and local governments. They also and predict hazardous weather conditions to help prevent future fires.
What you need: Previous work as a volunteer firefighter, a degree in fire science, or EMT certification can increase your chances of getting hired in this highly competitive field.
What you'd make: The median salary for a firefighter is $43,761 per year.

Find forest and wildland firefighter jobs on Monster.

5. Landscape Architect

What you'd do: Much like a structural architect drafts plans for buildings and homes, a landscape architect designs outdoor spaces for public and private areas. While they spend some time inside designing models and meeting with clients, their work often involves being outside on job sites.
What you need: A bachelor's degree and an internship or residency as on-the-job training.
What you'd make: The median salary for a landscape architect is $63,583 per year.

Find landscape architect jobs on Monster.

6. Logging Worker

What you'd do: Logging workers harvest trees as raw material for industrial and consumer goods. Their job is physically demanding, and they work in isolated areas and in all weather conditions. A flannel plaid shirt is not required, but it will certainly help you look the part.
What you need: This position requires a high-school diploma or equivalency, plus on-the-job training.
What you'd make: The median pay for a logging worker is $17 per hour.

Find logging jobs on Monster.

7. Mason

What you'd do: Masons are like construction workers that specialize in building and fixing outdoor structures—from porch steps to skyscrapers—using bricks, concrete and natural and manmade stones.
What you'd need: Typically, masonry requires a high school diploma, plus an apprenticeship.
What you'd make: The median pay for a mason is $21 per hour.

Find masonry jobs on Monster.

8. Recreation Worker

What you'd do: Fun is pretty much built in to this job title and description. Recreation workers lead outdoor activities at camps, recreation centers, parks, and nursing and residential care facilities. (Yes, you get paid to have fun.)
What you need: Recreation workers need a high-school diploma or equivalency, with short on-the-job training.
What you'd make: The median pay for a recreation worker is $13.50 per hour.

Find recreation worker jobs on Monster.

9. Survey Technician

What you'd do: Ever wonder how maps are so accurate, with every curve of the land and bend of a river? That would be the responsibility of survey technicians. They measure the earth and its many features, gathering data that eventually gets used to create topographical maps.
What you need: Surveying technicians require a high-school diploma or equivalency, plus on-the-job training.
What you'd make: The median pay for a survey technician is $20.35 per hour.

Find survey technician jobs on Monster.

10. Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist

What you'd do: Prefer animals to people? There's a whole field of outdoor jobs just for you. Zoologists study the physiology of animals, their behavior and how they interact with their habitats as well as with other species. They can work in an office or a laboratory, but often spend a significant amount of time in the field collecting data (because animals generally prefer the outdoors, just like you).
What you need: A bachelor's degree is required.
What you'd make: The median salary for a wildlife biologist is $56,380 per year.

Find zoology jobs and wildlife biologist jobs on Monster.

Get Out There

You'll have an easier time trading desk lamps for natural sunlight if you give cast a wide net during your job search. Need some help with that? Get started by creating a free profile on Monster, and we can connect you with recruiters in your field. You can also sign up to be alerted whenever outdoor jobs you're interested in become available.