General
Natural Resources Management
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Natural Resources Management.
Entry Level Salary
$39,393
Median Salary
$78,094
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
33.0%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,123,760
Entry (Early)
$39,393
Median (Prime)
$78,094
High (Prime)
$83,772
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-100k
+228k
+274k
$25k / yr
-190k
+138k
+184k
$50k / yr
-280k
+48k
+94k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
27
$25k / yr
Never
35
33
$50k / yr
Never
48
42
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-175%
127%
169%
$50k / yr
-129%
22%
43%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate28.2%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Management occupations
7.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,391|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Biological scientists
5.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,769
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,000|$93,340
openings
10,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.9%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,104|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Postsecondary teachers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$14,159
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,214|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Project management specialists
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$46,856
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,592|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Conservation scientists and foresters
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,867
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$63,028|$69,060
openings
3,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.7%
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,994
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,793|$80,060
openings
8,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Surveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$68,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,491|$74,120
openings
4,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.8%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$36,900
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,063|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Physical scientists, all other
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$44,836
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,232|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.