MOUNTAIN GUIDE | Mountain guides lead people on rock climbing, alpine climbing and backcountry skiing excursions. They are often paid by the day and also earn tips from clients. Rates vary by location and experience level, but the average annual pay for a rock climbing guide in the United States is $32,689 a year, according to ZipRecruiter. (Daniela Sachsenheimer/Shutterstock)

25 of the highest-paying jobs that let you spend time outside

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Working behind a desk or inside all day isn’t the right fit for everyone. If you’re someone who enjoys spending as much time as possible outside in nature, there are many lucrative career paths that allow you to work in the great outdoors. Here are some of the highest-paying outdoor jobs.

Astronomer

ASTRONOMER | Astronomers observe, research and interpret planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial bodies and astrological phenomena. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for astronomers is about $122,000. The BLS projects about 8,600 overall job openings between 2014 and 2024 for astronomers, atmospheric and space scientists, and physicists. (AstroStar/Shutterstock)

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Zoologist or wildlife biologist

ZOOLOGIST OR WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST | Zoologists and wildlife biologists both study animals and may spend considerable time outdoors gathering data and studying creatures in their natural habitats. According to the BLS, zoologists and wildlife biologists need at least a bachelor’s degree and make a median annual wage of $63,270. (joebrandt/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Photographer

PHOTOGRAPHER | Photographers produce and preserve images and can use their skills for a variety of specialties that allow them to spend time being active and outdoors, such as nature photography, sports photography, wedding photography and more. Photographers don’t require a degree and have a median pay of $36,280 per year. (dlewis33/Getty Images)

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Viticulturist

VITICULTURIST | A viticulturist specializes in the cultivation of grapes, especially for winemaking. They often work for vineyards and wine producers. According to online employment marketplace ZipRecruiter, the national average annual salary for this job is $51,826. (Rene Mansi/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Wind turbine technician

WIND TURBINE TECHNICIAN | Wind turbine service technicians install, maintain and repair wind turbines. They work outdoors, often at great heights. Not only is this a well-paying outdoor job, but it’s the fastest-growing career path in the U.S. According to the BLS, wind turbine service technicians will see a 61% employment growth rate between 2019 and 2029 and earn a median annual salary of $52,910 per year. (aydinmutlu/Getty Images)

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Solar photovoltaic installer

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLER | Another one of the fastest-growing jobs in the country is solar photovoltaic installers. Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy. These installations are typically outdoors, and these positions have a median pay of $44,890 per year. (Power of Forever Photography/Getty Images)

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Surveyor

SURVEYOR | Surveyors work both in the field and in the office to make measurements to determine property boundaries. While working outside, surveyors may stand for long periods and walk long distances. The median pay for surveyors is $63,420 per year, according to the BLS. (Sturti/Getty Images)

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Tree trimmer or pruner

TREE TRIMMER OR PRUNER | Tree trimmers and pruners cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs, often working off the ground in the tree canopy. The average annual wage for these professionals is $42,510, according to the BLS. (pastorscott/Getty Images)

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Landscape architect

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT | Landscape architects design outdoor spaces including parks, yards and more. While they spend time in an office setting designing, meeting with clients and more, they also get to spend time outside on site. Landscape architects typically require a bachelor’s degree and a license from their state and make a median salary of $69,360 per year. (kumikomini/Getty Images)

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Cartographer or photogrammetrist

CARTOGRAPHER OR PHOTOGRAMMETRIST | Cartographers and photogrammetrists create and update maps and charts by collecting, measuring and interpreting geographic information. These jobs typically involve office work but can also require travel to locations that are being mapped. According to the BLS, cartographers and photogrammetrists earn a median annual pay of $65,470. (Valentin Casarsa/Getty Images)

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Environmental engineer

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER | Environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental problems. They typically work in offices with other engineers and urban and regional planners or on location at construction sites. Environmental engineers must have a bachelor’s degree and make a median annual wage of about $89,000. (serts/Getty Images)

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Environmental scientist or specialist

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST OR SPECIALIST | Environmental scientists and specialists work to protect the environment and human health. They work in offices and laboratories but also spend time in the field gathering data and monitoring environmental conditions. These positions earn a median wage of $71,360 per year, per the BLS. (Robert Pavsic/Getty Images)

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Farmer, rancher or other agricultural manager

FARMER, RANCHER OR OTHER AGRICULTURAL MANAGER | Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers work outside while running establishments that produce crops, livestock and dairy products. The work can be physically demanding and the median pay is $71,160 per year, according to the BLS. (PixelCatchers/Getty Images)

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Mountain guide

MOUNTAIN GUIDE | Mountain guides lead people on rock climbing, alpine climbing and backcountry skiing excursions. They are often paid by the day and also earn tips from clients. Rates vary by location and experience level, but the average annual pay for a rock climbing guide in the United States is $32,689 a year, according to ZipRecruiter. (Daniela Sachsenheimer/Shutterstock)

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Agriculture or food scientist

AGRICULTURE OR FOOD SCIENTIST | Agricultural and food scientists work in laboratories and offices as well as in the field while researching ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products. Per the BLS, the median pay for these types of jobs is about $65,000 per year. (AzmanJaka/Getty Images)

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Geographer

GEOGRAPHER | According to the BLS, geographers study the earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants. Many geographers do fieldwork, which can include travel to foreign countries or remote locations. As of 2019, geographers make a median salary of $81,540 per year. (GagliardiPhotography/Shutterstock)

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Agricultural engineer

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER | Agricultural engineers work on pollution and environmental issues, the storage and processing of agricultural products, and more. They often work in offices but also spend time traveling to agricultural settings. Agricultural engineers must have a bachelor’s degree and make a median wage of $80,720 per year. (Luis Alvarez/Getty Images)

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Hydrologist

HYDROLOGIST | Hydrologists study how water moves. And while they do spend time indoors analyzing data and modeling their findings, they also venture into the field and have to wade into lakes and streams to collect samples or to read and inspect monitoring equipment. Hydrologists need at least a bachelor’s degree and earn a median salary of $81,270 per year. (Galashevsky Yakow/Shutterstock)

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Anthropologist or archaeologist

ANTHROPOLOGIST OR ARCHAEOLOGIST | Anthropologists and archaeologists study the origin, development and behavior of humans. Although many typically work in offices, others analyze samples in laboratories or do fieldwork around the world. Anthropologists and archaeologists need a master’s degree or Ph.D. in anthropology or archaeology and make a median salary of $63,670 per year, according to the BLS. (Krugloff/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Park ranger

PARK RANGER | The National Park Service preserves the natural and cultural resources throughout the U.S. and employs park rangers at more than 400 national parks and offices. Park ranger salaries vary significantly depending on the role and location of the park and can be part-time or full-time. According to job site Indeed.com, salaries can range from $7.25 to $29.85 per hour, and the average salary for a park ranger is $14.18 per hour. (Mark Van Scyoc / Shutterstock.com)

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Conservation scientist or forester

CONSERVATION SCIENTIST OR FORESTER | National and state park rangers fall into the broader career category of conservation scientists and foresters. Generally, conservation scientists and foresters manage the overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources. This also includes soil and water conservationists, range managers, urban foresters and more. Overall, the median pay for the types of positions is $62,410 per year, per the BLS. (JGalione/Getty Images)

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Fire inspector

FIRE INSPECTOR | Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists are currently one of the fastest-growing jobs in the country and require significant time spent outdoors. Fire inspectors examine buildings in order to detect fire hazards and ensure that fire codes are met. Fire inspectors and investigators typically have previous work experience as a firefighter and earn a median pay of $60,230 per year. (SYC PROD/Shutterstock)

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Construction manager

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | Construction managers plan, coordinate and supervise construction projects and spend most of their time working out of a field office at a construction site. Construction managers typically must have a bachelor’s degree and make a median salary of $95,260 per year. (Adam Kazmierski/Getty Images)

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Petroleum engineer

PETROLEUM ENGINEER | Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas. For this job, which requires a bachelor’s degree, workers are frequently required to visit drilling and well sites and travel to meet with other engineers, oilfield workers and customers. Petroleum engineers make a median pay of $137,720 per year. (SonjaBK/Getty Images)

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Avalanche forecaster

AVALANCHE FORECASTER | If you’re in the market for a well-paying seasonal outdoor job and you live someplace snowy, why not be an avalanche forecaster? These forecasters analyze the structure and strength of the snow layers to predict in different areas and work only from about October through April each year. There are no formal training requirements for entering the occupation, however, most forecasters have a bachelor’s or higher degree in a science field. Avalanche forecasters who work for the Forest Service earned about $2,600 to $5,160 per month in 2006, according to the BLS. (Ziga Plahutar/Getty Images)

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