U.S. Department of Labor Blog
The longer days and warmer temperatures of June are a great time to enjoy the outdoors as part of National Great Outdoors Month. If you love being outside – and don’t love the idea of working indoors – here’s a look at some jobs that typically involve spending at least part of the time outdoors according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Requirements Survey. They are all projected to grow from 2021 to 2031, and require different levels of education or training to begin.
Coaches and scouts instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports. Coaches teach amateur and professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport, while scouts look for new players, evaluating their skills and likelihood for success at the amateur, college or professional level.
Median annual wage, 2022: $44,890
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Number of jobs, 2021: 244,300
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 20% (much faster than average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 39,900
Construction laborers perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. They may operate hand and power tools, clean and prepare sites, and assist other craft workers.
Median annual wage, 2022: $40,750
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential
Number of jobs, 2021: 1.4 million
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 5% (as fast as average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 143,200
Construction managers plan, coordinate and supervise construction projects of homes, offices and industrial structures. They monitor schedules and budgets, and ensure building and safety codes are followed.
Median annual wage, 2022: $101,480
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Number of jobs, 2021: 478,500
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 8% (faster than average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 41,500
Electrical power-line installers and repairers install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. They string power lines between poles, identity defective transformers and switches, and inspect and test power lines.
Median annual wage, 2022: $82,340
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of jobs, 2021: 126,600
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 3% (slower than average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 11,100
Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. They may clean up polluted areas, advise policymakers or work with industry to reduce waste.
Median annual wage, 2022: $76,480
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Number of jobs, 2021: 80,000
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 5% (as fast as average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 7,800
Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property or the environment.
Median annual wage, 2022: $51,680
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Number of jobs, 2021: 326,100
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 4% (as fast as average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 28,000
Highway maintenance workers maintain and repair highways, roads and runways. They patch broken or eroded pavement, repair guard rails and clear brush from roadway.
Median annual wage, 2022: $44,930
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of jobs, 2021: 145,900
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 7% (as fast as average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 16,500
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers plant flowers, shrubs, trees and other vegetation to create new outdoor spaces or to upgrade existing ones. They also trim, fertilize, mulch and water plants.
Median annual wage, 2022: $35,890
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential
Number of jobs, 2021: 1.2 million
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 5% (as fast as average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 164,500
Lifeguards, ski patrol and other recreational protective service workers monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches or ski slopes, to assist and protect the people using them.
Median annual wage, 2022: $27,270
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential
Number of jobs, 2021: 120,800
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 16% (much faster than average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 36,200
Surveying and mapping technicians collect data to make maps of the Earth’s surface. Surveying technicians visit sites to take measurements of the land, while mapping technicians use geographic data to create maps.
Median annual wage, 2022: $47,180
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of jobs, 2021: 59,800
Projected employment growth, 2021-31: 4% (as fast as average)
Occupational openings, 2021-31 annual average: 7,800
Explore other options for outdoor jobs by browsing the Occupational Outlook Handbook, where work settings for occupations are described on the “Work Environment” tabs of occupational profiles. You can also find more data on job environmental conditions, such as working outdoors, from the Occupational Requirements Survey program.
Michael Rieley is an economist in the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Follow BLS on Twitter at @BLS_gov.
