Career Guide
To become a land manager you need a combination of industry experience, the proper skill set, and knowledge of where to look for a job. .
Below we've outlined what you'll need to succeed in a career as a land manager. We've also included helpful occupational information, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Education Needed to Become a Land Manager
Although the specific education requirements needed to become a land manager can vary depending on the discretion of the employer, it is typical for land managers to posses an undergraduate degree in areas such as natural resource management, forestry, botany, environmental science or environmental engineering.
Although these degree programs may not be meant to specifically prepare students for careers as land managers, they will be of great benefit to these future professionals as long as they teach students knowledge, skills and competencies in the physical sciences relevant to land management, as well as environmental management.
Some university programs will provide students with instruction in other related areas such as restoration ecology, wildlife management, range land ecology and conservation biology. Specific courses in these undergraduate programs may include soil science, economics, agricultural engineering technology and sustainable land management.
Land Manager Job Description
Land managers are responsible for preventing environmental damage and harm to wildlife through careful management of the development and use of a region’s land resources.
Land Manager Job Duties
• Work with private land owners and government agencies
• Maintain current knowledge of pertinent legislation and land use regulations
• Design and implement ways to improve the land with minimal environmental impact
• Design, implement and evaluate programs to sustain the land and its wildlife
• May supervise harvests
• Choose and prepare sites for planting trees
• Monitor seedlings for signs of disease or insect infestation
Who Employs Land Managers?
Below are some examples of employers in a variety of different industries that can utilize the skills, knowledge and competencies that land managers have to offer.
• Agri-food companies
• Agricultural producers
• Consulting firms
• Environmental protection organizations
• Farm business advisory services
• Federal, provincial and municipal government departments
• Land appraisal firms
• Land reclamation companies
• Oil and gas companies
Please Note: Self-employed land managers typically work on a contractual basis
Experience You'll Need
Those who become land managers for public or private organizations often have a combination the right education and experience in the field of land management at some level. Working as a forester or conservation scientist is a great way to gain experience in this field.
Some land managers may earn their positions without any relevant experience; amount of in-field experience needed to become a land manager is typically at the discretion of the employer.
If you are an aspiring land manager you can also gain experience for their future careers while they are still students by working in an internship or co-op position. Speak with your school’s career guidance office, or your professors to learn of possible positions you can apply for.
Land Manager Salary
The actual wages and salaries of land managers can vary greatly, typically depending on the following factors:
• Their level of education and experience
• The type of land they manager
• The amount of responsibility inherent in their job
• The size and type of their employer, or whether or not they're self-employed
• The region in which they work
Unfortunately, there is no salary data available from government sources for the profession of ‘land manager’. We can however, get a good idea of what they earn by looking at the earnings of workers in closely related occupations.
Land Manager Salary in Alberta: According to the 2019 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, the average salary level of Albertans working in the “Forester” occupational group is $94,619 per year,.
Salary - British Columbia: According to WorkBC (Province of British Columbia), those working in the “Forestry Professionals” occupational group earn an annual provincial median salary of $76,440.
Salary - United States: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary level of Americans working in the “Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers” occupational group is $67,950 per year.
Current Job Opportunities
Our job board below has "land manager" postings in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Similar Occupations in Our Database
Listed below are jobs that are similar in nature to "land manager", as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
• Farmer
Resources
Please use the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career as a land manager.
Occupations in Alberta: “Forester.” (March 24, 2015). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
Education, Training, and Library: “Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers.” (September 4, 2019).- United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
Explore Careers: “Forestry professionals.” (December 11, 2018). WorkBC website - Province of British Columbia. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
Management: “Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers.” (September 4, 2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook - United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
Career Profiles: “Careers - Land management.” (n.d.). Government of Alberta website. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
Please Note: Much of the information for this career guide was gathered from actual job postings, which due to the brief nature of their online presence, are not listed here as sources.
Scholarships for Becoming a Land Manager
Scholarships listed for majors that are relevant for this profession can be found on the following pages:
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Relevant University Majors
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point to becoming a land manager. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
