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Wilderness Field Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does a Wilderness Field Instructor make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wilderness Field Instructor in the United States is $44,084 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Wilderness Field Instructor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $53,390
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37,824 to $48,955
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,126
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Wilderness Field Instructor Salaries

A Wilderness Field Instructor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Wilderness Field Instructor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Wilderness Field Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $48,809.
  • California: $48,624.
  • Massachusetts: $47,976.

Top Paying Cities for Wilderness Field Instructors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $55,603
  • San Francisco: $54,994
  • Oakland: $53,835

What Skills Can Increase a Wilderness Field Instructor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 10.17% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Therapeutic Recreation (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Therapeutic recreation is a type of therapy that uses activities to help meet the physical and emotional needs of patients with an illness or disability and help them develop skills for daily living.
  • Cash Handling (Mentioned in 1.23% Job Postings): Process of receiving and giving money in a business. In retail, cash handling ranges from the point of sale to the behind-the-scenes money management during the day.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 10.17%
Therapeutic Recreation 2.93%
Cash Handling 1.23%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Wilderness Field Instructor's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $47,610
8%
Problem Solving $46,288
5%
Commitment $46,288
5%
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Wilderness Field Instructor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Wilderness Field Instructor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, Wilderness Field Instructor positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Wilderness Field Instructor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Wilderness Field Instructor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$50,696$24.015%

How Education impacts a Wilderness Field Instructor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Wilderness Field Instructors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Wilderness Field Instructor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $50,086 and $53,444).

Wilderness Field Instructor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Wilderness Field Instructor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.0%
High School 5.0%
Associates 8.5%
Bachelors 57.4%
Masters 28.4%
Doctorate 0.7%
View as Graph

Wilderness Field Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Wilderness Field Instructor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$37,824
Average $44,084/year
$48,955
$3,152
Average $3,674/month
$4,080
$727
Average $848/week
$941
$18
Average $21/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $48,955 $4,080 $941 $24
Average $44,084 $3,674 $848 $21
25th Percentile $37,824 $3,152 $727 $18

Most common benefits for Wilderness Field Instructor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Wilderness Field Instructor

Here are companies hiring for Wilderness Field Instructor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Wilderness Field Instructor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Wilderness Field Instructor?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Wilderness Field Instructor roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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