10 High Paying Outdoor Jobs You Can Choose (With Benefits)

Updated August 8, 2023

If you're less interested in working inside an office or cubicle and nature seems more appealing, you can consider outdoor jobs. These jobs offer an opportunity to explore the world and your environment while earning a living. Learning about the various high-paying outdoor jobs that are available can help you make a better career decision. In this article, we discuss the benefits of high-paying outdoor jobs and outline 10 career paths for you to choose from.

Benefits of high-paying outdoor jobs

Here are some of the benefits associated with high-paying outdoor jobs if you choose them:

Adequate compensation

These jobs already imply that you earn considerably, making adequate compensation one of the many benefits. Depending on your industry, you can earn well enough to maintain a good standard of living. Outdoor jobs also offer additional benefits beyond your salary, such as health insurance, hazard insurance, and other employment benefits like paid time off. Choosing a career in any of these jobs ensures you can get properly compensated for your expertise and contributions.

Increases happiness and improves mood

Spending considerable time under the sun while enjoying fresh air can affect your mood positively. With outdoor jobs, you can access varying forms of nature that can reduce your anxiety levels. Enjoying nature scents and the fresh air while you take a deep breath can help you improve your mood.

Improves energy levels

Working outdoors implies that you're constantly exposed to fresh air. This ensures you can enjoy improved energy levels that allow you to remain productive and focused throughout the day. Outdoor jobs also offer access to oxygen intake while reducing the intake of artificial air present indoors. This can prepare you to take on challenging tasks with a clear mind.

Reduces stress levels

Another benefit of outdoor jobs is that thanks to the flush of fresh air, you can experience reduced stress levels. Fresh air often reduces cortisol and other stress-causing hormones. The overall result is a less overwhelmed and positive feeling at your workplace. This can make outdoor jobs a good option for you if you feel discouraged or stressed by work.

Rests brain and eyes

Working outdoors often means you spend less time staring at computer screens each day. Instead, you see various objects existing in nature, usually at a distance that relaxes your eye muscles. Your brain also spends less time fixated on work as the appealing nature of most outdoor scenery encourages you to look around. Continually resting your brain and eyes can offer long-term benefits, as a rested eye can pay better attention to detail. Similarly, a rested brain increases your chances of producing quality work.

Enhances memory

The relaxing and energizing experience of working outdoors can often improve your cognitive abilities, particularly your memory functions. It allows you to retain information better in your short-term memory, remember important talking points, and conduct critical thinking with ease. This makes it easier for you to perform effectively and efficiently while discharging your duties, irrespective of your industry.

Keeps you healthy

Outdoor jobs involve spending most of your work hours outdoors, bringing several benefits to your physical and mental health. Outdoor jobs offer constant access to the sun, which creates vitamin D in your body. This can help you fight off various conditions and illnesses and keep you physically healthy. Working outdoors also means you spend less time sitting on your office chair, which can help your back and body avoid the pains associated with sitting all day.

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10 high-paying outdoor jobs

Here are 10 outdoor jobs that pay well:

1. Rig manager

National average salary: $123,278 per year

Primary duties: A rig manager supports drilling teams across various regions while supervising oil rigs. They monitor the general rig operations, coordinate drilling activities, implement safety measures, train staff, supervise the movement of materials, and solve any issue or problem. Rig managers ensure that a team completes drilling operations in compliance with company policies, guidelines and procedures. Rig managers need problem-solving, communication, organization, teamwork skills and the ability to work under pressure to handle problems or conflicts when they arise.

2. Hydraulic engineer

National average salary: $114,075 per year

Primary duties: A hydraulic engineer specializes in the movement and properties of liquids like sewage and water. Hydraulic engineers concern themselves with building usable and functional structures to manage water flow. For instance, they're responsible for designing and supervising the building of canals, bridges, and dams. They also build more specialized systems, such as cooling-water tools for power plants and facilities for irrigation plans or projects.

3. Wildlife biologist

National average salary: $79,529 per year

Primary duties: A wildlife biologist, popularly regarded as a zoologist, studies and analyzes various animals, including their interactions within their ecosystem. Wildlife biologists are responsible for tracking the impacts of animals on their surroundings then the world. To achieve this, they design and conduct multiple studies, collate data, study various wildlife, and present their findings. Wildlife biologists often love animals and need an understanding of wildlife and their habits to perform effectively. Research and good communication skills are also vital for productivity in this role.

4. Senior landscape architect

National average salary: $86,006 per year

Primary duties: A senior landscape architect is responsible for developing and executing design plans and schemes for various structures and public spaces. They lead teams through the preparation of necessary models related to the project, present them to clients, and obtain their approval. Although senior landscape architects spend some time in offices, they spend most of their time outdoors, in job sites, ensuring that building processes run smoothly and seamlessly. Working under pressure, creativity, attention to detail, and communication skills are important traits necessary for senior landscape architects.

5. Geographer

National average salary: $66,371 per year

Primary duties: Geographers, especially physical geographers, study the earth and nature. They adopt various tools and strategies to observe and analyze vegetation, water, and climate patterns to understand the world better. Geographers also create visual representations of geographic data to aid analysis and application in other industries and fields. They assist and lead other professionals in applying geographic information systems to understand the environment and solve real-world issues. Analytical thinking, research, attention to detail and excellent communication skills are requirements for success in this role.

6. Construction manager

National average salary: $75,338 per year

Primary duties: A construction manager is responsible for managing various building projects from beginning to its end. They function as supervisors for a project, identifying the deadline for the project and ensuring that the construction team works within the deadline. Construction managers also supervise the technical aspect of the project and ensure that the construction team executes the design to specifications. In addition, they spend most of their work hours at construction sites to supervise and inspect the project's progress. Good communication, team play, problem-solving, motivation, and leadership skills are essential for construction managers.

7. Senior environmental engineer

National average salary: $46,860 per year

Primary duties: Senior environmental engineers employs their knowledge of the environment and sciences to design, develop, and execute solutions and projects that help communities reduce environmental issues like pollution and waste. They supervise teams with the goal of improving public health. Senior environmental engineers achieve this by collating samples, developing strategies and techniques, and implementing them to promote environmentally friendly living among community members. They rely significantly on interpersonal, analytical, research, and problem-solving skills to perform their duties and achieve their goals.

8. Marine engineer

National average salary: $106,983 per year

Primary duties: A marine engineer is responsible for building, testing, and repairing various vessels, including tankers, yachts, and submarines. They develop blueprints, design systems and engines, and monitor the construction of various ships. Marine engineers can work in the private and public sectors, often performing the same duties. In addition, marine engineers often collaborate with naval architects to ensure the development of functional systems and vessels. Marine engineers require an interest in investigations, good analytical and problem-solving skills, and a passion for the outdoors.

9. Civil engineer

National average salary: $72,981 per year

Primary duties: A civil engineer is responsible for designing, building, and supervising various public and private works such as bridges and buildings. They also supervise the design team during the design process to ensure quality delivery. In addition, civil engineers often spend time outdoors at project sites assessing and monitoring the project's progress. Their work environment is fast-paced, requiring good time management, problem-solving, analytical thinking, and leadership skills.

10. Petroleum engineer

National average salary: $147,561 per year

Primary duties: A petroleum engineer designs and develops various methods and techniques for oil and gas exploration and extraction. They apply mathematics, geology, equipment design, and physics to deliver on their tasks. Petroleum engineers also conduct extensive research and spend considerable time on various drilling sites supervising exploration activities. Their goal is to ensure the success of oil and gas exploration, and they apply problem-solving, analytical thinking, teamwork, and IT skills to achieve this.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organization and a candidate's experience, academic background, and location.