jobfacts

Conservation professionals

SOC 2020 2151

Conservation professionals are responsible for ensuring that landscapes, habitats and species are protected and enhanced via appropriate management and conservation. They promote public understanding and awareness of the natural environment and help to develop and implement appropriate policies to achieve these objectives. They manage water related impacts on the land and surrounding buildings and create safe environments around habitats for public access.

Also calledCountryside officerConservation officerEcologistHeritage officerHistoric buildings officerListings officerand 31 more titles
Typical full-time pay£40,1002025 Provisional
People in the job22,000across the UK
Demand for workersNot high
New adverts a month472↓ 5.2%on last year · 271st of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025
What full-time conservation professionals earn, 2025
£40,100 typical£32,600lowest 20%n/ptop 10%
n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less thanNot published
Lowest 20% earn less than£32,600
25%£33,400
Median£40,100
75%Not published
Top 20% earn more thanNot published
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £40,100
East of England!£43,400
Yorkshire and The Humber!£37,300
North West!£37,100
South East!£34,800
Wales!£34,200
Scotland!£32,900
North EastNot published by ONS–
East MidlandsNot published by ONS–
West MidlandsNot published by ONS–
LondonNot published by ONS–
South WestNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £40,100
East of England£43,400 (small sample)
Yorkshire and The Humber£37,300 (small sample)
North West£37,100 (small sample)
South East£34,800 (small sample)
Wales£34,200 (small sample)
Scotland£32,900 (small sample)
North EastNot published by ONS
East MidlandsNot published by ONS
West MidlandsNot published by ONS
LondonNot published by ONS
South WestNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £36,400
  • 2024 £36,000
  • 2025 Provisional£40,100
↑ 10% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 472 jobs for conservation professionals are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as not high.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (2 in all)
Show as table
Aug 2026441
Jul 2026566
Jun 2026Not published
May 2026504
Apr 2026463
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 2026474
Jan 2026497
Dec 2025340
Nov 2025482
Oct 2025501
Sept 2025448
Aug 2025481
Jul 2025620
Jun 2025517
May 2025655
Apr 2025481
Mar 2025599
Feb 2025591
Jan 2025505
Dec 2024371
Nov 2024389
Oct 2024435
Sept 2024449
Aug 2024444
Jul 2024514
Jun 2024448
May 2024543
Apr 2024535
Mar 2024511
Feb 2024553
Jan 2024587
Dec 2023443
Nov 2023463
Oct 2023442
Sept 2023424
Aug 2023453
Jul 2023442
Jun 2023700
May 2023696
Apr 2023563
Mar 2023572
Feb 2023590
Jan 2023585
Dec 2022603
Nov 2022534
Oct 2022541
Sept 2022460
Aug 2022498
Jul 2022464
Jun 2022613
May 2022649
Apr 2022533
Mar 2022588
Feb 2022634
Jan 2022628
Dec 2021469
Nov 2021483
Oct 2021466
Sept 2021521
Aug 2021428
Jul 2021540
Jun 2021546
May 2021549
Apr 2021498
Mar 2021624
Feb 2021418
Jan 2021406
Dec 2020343
Nov 2020291
Oct 2020377
Sept 2020290
Aug 2020267
Jul 2020297
Jun 2020229
May 2020171
Apr 2020221
Mar 2020359
Feb 2020490
Jan 2020490
Dec 2019322
Nov 2019466
Oct 2019482
Sept 2019406
Aug 2019394
Jul 2019637
Jun 2019595
May 2019478
Apr 2019372
Mar 2019537
Feb 2019470
Jan 2019589
Dec 2018330
Nov 2018390
Oct 2018394
Sept 2018436
Aug 2018361
Jul 2018410
Jun 2018467
May 2018449
Apr 2018427
Mar 2018509
Feb 2018509
Jan 2018414
Dec 2017293
Nov 2017350
Oct 2017306
Sept 2017317
Aug 2017353
Jul 2017310
Jun 2017386
May 2017386
Apr 2017426
Mar 2017417
Feb 2017394
Jan 2017436
Is there a shortage of conservation professionals?
Not high

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment.

  • Visas grantedAbove usual
  • Online job advertsAbove usual
  • Wage growthUsual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedUsual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
28%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for science, research, engineering and technology professionals, which includes conservation professionals. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London170
Birmingham71
Manchester56
Bristol, City of43
Leeds41
Glasgow City30
Cardiff28
Highland27
Nottingham25
Cambridge24
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where conservation professionals are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 18 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from United States, France, Pakistan, ranking it 187th of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of conservation professionals
n/p
32%!
22%!
26%!
17%!
3.7%!
!Small sample: treat with cautionn/p: too few in the survey to publish
Show as table
16–24Not published
25–3432% (small sample)
35–4422% (small sample)
45–5426% (small sample)
55–6417% (small sample)
65+3.7% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent83%
Higher education below degree–
Not published
A levels or equivalent!8.4%
GCSEs or equivalent–
Not published
Other qualifications–
Not published
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent83%
Higher education below degreeNot published
A levels or equivalent8.4% (small sample)
GCSEs or equivalentNot published
Other qualificationsNot published

Main employers: activities of other membership organisations nec (16%), other professional, scientific and technical activities nec (14%), other social work activities without accommodation nec (9.8%), engineering activities and related technical consultancy (6.2%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
83%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
4
from level 3, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
18 months to 3 years
typically

Routes in

Countryside officer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for work as a countryside officer.

Relevant courses include:

  • countryside or environmental management
  • ecology and geography
  • environmental studies
  • plant biology
  • conservation
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You may be able to start as a trainee countryside officer after completing a course at an agricultural college, such as:

  • countryside studies
  • countryside management
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Countryside Ranger Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This can take around two and half years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You may be able to join an organisation as a countryside ranger, or assistant officer, and work your way up through on-the-job training and promotion.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a good way to get practical experience, meet new people and develop your network of contacts.

You can find opportunities with:

  • National Parks UK
  • The Wildlife Trusts
  • The Conservation Volunteers
  • Countryside Jobs Service

What you’ll need

  • have a full driving licence

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Countryside Management Association for professional development training.

Further information

You can get more details about working in the countryside from:

  • Lantra
  • Grow Careers
  • Green Jobs for Nature

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for countryside officer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Ecologist

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

You'll need a degree or postgraduate qualification in a subject like:

  • ecology
  • ecology and environmental sustainability
  • conservation, marine or plant biology
  • environmental science
  • zoology
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Apprenticeship

You might be able to start by applying for an Ecologist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.

This usually takes around 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a degree in a relevant subject

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to get practical experience and skills, meet new people and develop useful contacts. This might improve your chances of finding work.

You can find volunteering opportunities with:

  • The Conservation Volunteers
  • National Trust
  • The Wildlife Trusts
  • The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the British Ecological Society, which offers mentoring from experienced ecologists, research news, and education and job search support.

Further information

You can find more details about careers in ecology through the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and Green Jobs for Nature.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for ecologist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Heritage officer

You can get into this job through:

University

There are lots of subjects that can be useful for a career in heritage.

Examples include:

  • history
  • geography
  • cultural heritage studies
  • building conservation
  • architecture
  • archaeology

A postgraduate qualification can give you an advantage when you're looking for jobs.

Courses include:

  • heritage management
  • historic conservation
  • cultural heritage management

It's important to look for internships and work experience opportunities while you study. Many people get into paid roles through volunteering or work placements.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Historic Environment Advice Assistant Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, with an organisation.

You might also be able to do a Level 7 Apprenticeship (non-degree qualification), depending on your experience.

These include:

  • Cultural Heritage Conservator
  • Archivist and Records Manager
  • Historic Environment Adviser

National parks, heritage organisations, local authorities, and archaeological and conservation companies are useful places to check for potential apprenticeship vacancies.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Volunteering

Work experience and volunteering are really important for getting into this type of work. You can look for opportunities with organisations like:

  • English Heritage
  • Historic England
  • National Trust
  • The Heritage Alliance

You could also try your local council, as they may be responsible for a number of historic buildings and sites in your area.

You can search for private companies in the heritage sector through the Historic Environment Provider Service Recognition scheme.

Some organisations have internship programmes to encourage people from under-represented groups to think about a career in heritage. For example, Historic England's Emerging Talent Placements Programme.

Apply directly

You may be able to apply directly if you've got several years' experience in a related industry like:

  • civil engineering or surveying
  • construction project management
  • planning or conservation
  • archaeology

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Association for Heritage Interpretation or the Institute of Historic Building Conservation for professional development and to build up a network of contacts.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for heritage officer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

4 for this job
Level 3About 18 months

Water environment worker

You gain
Manual handling / Safe Lifting Techniques; Working at Height / Safe Working with Ladders
Leads to
Society for the Environment
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 2 years

Historic environment advice assistant

Leads to
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists
Employers may ask for
While any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved five 9-4…
Details on Skills England
Level 7About 3 yearsDegree

Ecologist

You gain
Ecology related master’s degree that fully aligns with the KSBs within the…
Leads to
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
Details on Skills England
Level 7About 3 yearsDegree

Historic environment advisor

You gain
A Masters degree in a relevant Conservation or Archaeology of the Historic Environment…
Leads to
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists
Details on Skills England

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • promotes and implements local and national biodiversity action plans, particularly with regard to threatened species and habitats
  • carries out environmental impact assessments and field surveys
  • implements, evaluates and monitors schemes for the management and protection of natural habitats
  • provides advice and information to government at national and local levels, clients, landowners, planners and developers to facilitate the protection of the natural environment
  • liaises with other groups in the selection and maintenance of the Protected Site System including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Ramsar sites, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
  • maintains and develops knowledge in relevant policy areas within a national and European legislative context
  • promotes conservation issues via educational talks, displays, workshops and literature and liaison with the media
  • prepares applications for funding to other organisations, and assessing applications for funding from other organisations
  • carries out research into aspects of the natural world

Skills

  • analyse environmental data
  • develop environmental policy
  • assess environmental impact
  • ensure compliance with environmental legislation
  • write work-related reports
  • carry out environmental audits
  • promote environmental awareness
  • advise on nature conservation
  • carry out training in environmental matters
  • conduct environmental site assessments
  • conduct environmental surveys
  • conserve natural resources
  • educate people about nature
  • implement environmental protection measures

Knowledge

  • environmental legislation
  • biology
  • ecology
  • environmental policy
  • chemistry
  • pollution prevention
  • botany
  • forest ecology

Suits people who like

  • Working with ideas and solving problems
  • Practical, hands-on work

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for science, research, engineering and technology professionals, a group of 28 jobs that includes conservation professionals.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 18%about 394,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 20351.3 millionincluding people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.