Land Restoration Ecologist

Plan and implement large-scale land restoration projects that rehabilitate mined lands, brownfields, and degraded agricultural areas to productive ecosystems with high biodiversity and carbon sequestration value. Conduct baseline ecological surveys, develop restoration planting plans, oversee contractor activities, and monitor restoration success using ecological performance metrics. Engage with regulatory agencies, landowners, and conservation organizations to advance landscape-scale restoration.

Median salary: $88,000. Projected growth to 2033: 10% (faster than average) - driven by mine reclamation, infrastructure mitigation, and nature-based climate solutions. Typical education: Master's Degree.

At a glance

Median salary: $88,000
Entry-level: $55,000 - $70,000
Senior: $130,000+
Growth by 2033: 10% (faster than average) - driven by mine reclamation, infrastructure mitigation, and nature-based climate solutions
Demand: Growing
Remote: Hybrid
Hours per week: 40-50 hours/week
Stress: Low

What you'd do

People interaction: Moderate
Team vs solo: 55% Team / 45% Solo
Client facing: Sometimes
Impact visibility: High

How to get there

Minimum education: Master's Degree
Licensing: No
Years to mid-career: 3-5 years
Years to senior: 7-10 years
Career switching: Moderate
Typical student debt: $35,000 - $65,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

Vegetation Survey & Plant Identification
Soil Health Assessment & Amendment
Restoration Planting Design & Contractor Oversight
Invasive Species Management
Ecological Performance Monitoring
Mine Reclamation & SMCRA Compliance

Soft skills

Ecological Knowledge
Field Investigation
Written Communication
Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement

Technical complexity: Moderate

Typical career path