Agriculture & Environment Grand Island, NE Pop. 53,131

Park Ranger Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska

The median park ranger salary in Grand Island, NE is $35,700 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 6.7% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$35,700
vs State Avg
$-2,550
vs National
$-6,800
Cost of Living
84%

Park Ranger Pay in Grand Island: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Island offers a median park ranger salary of $35,700, which is $2,550 below the Nebraska state average of $38,250. Compared to the national median of $42,500, Grand Island pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Island's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $35,700 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $42,500 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Island an attractive option for park rangers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for park rangers in Grand Island spans from $23,520 at the 10th percentile to $60,480 at the 90th percentile — a $36,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,200, while senior park rangers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $57,120. Grand Island is a smaller market (pop. 53,131), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Park Ranger Salary in Grand Island by Experience

In Grand Island, an entry-level park ranger earns around $25,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $57,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,200
$-4,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$36,960
$-7,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$57,120
$-10,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Grand Island, NE

Percentile Grand Island
10th Percentile $23,520
25th Percentile $28,560
Median (50th) $35,700
75th Percentile $48,720
90th Percentile $60,480

Park Ranger Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$39,525
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$39,100
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$38,250
Pop. 291,082
Kearney, NE
$36,550
Pop. 33,464

How to Become a Park Ranger in Grand Island

Education

Most park ranger positions require a bachelor's degree. Grand Island and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

ConservationLaw EnforcementPublic EducationWildlife ManagementEmergency ResponseOutdoor Skills

Job Outlook

Nationally, park ranger employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Grand Island may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Park Ranger Jobs in Grand Island

Browse open park ranger positions in Grand Island, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Park Ranger Salary in Grand Island

How much does a Park Ranger make in Grand Island, NE? ▼
The median park ranger salary in Grand Island, Nebraska is $35,700 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $42,500. Salaries range from $23,520 (10th percentile) to $60,480 (90th percentile).
How much does a Park Ranger make per hour in Grand Island? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $35,700, a park ranger in Grand Island earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Island compare to the Nebraska state average for park ranger pay? ▼
Grand Island's median park ranger salary of $35,700 is 6.7% below the Nebraska state average of $38,250. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE? ▼
Grand Island has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a park ranger salary of $35,700 in Grand Island has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a park ranger in Grand Island? ▼
Most park ranger positions in Grand Island require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Conservation, Law Enforcement, Public Education, Wildlife Management. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.