On land or at sea, these 4 jobs let you enjoy the great outdoors.

By Jason Latshaw

Does the idea of sitting inside a fluorescent-lit office all day drive you crazy? Good news: there are careers out there that let you go out, enjoy the weather, and breathe - yes! - fresh air.

If your uniform of choice is hiking boots and shorts, not slacks and loafers, here's your chance to find a career that lets you work outside.

Check out the four fun jobs that allow you to escape cubicle prison... and pay you pretty well!

1. Landscape Architects
If you're impressed by the layout of trees, bushes, and flowers that you see in your local park, there's a good chance you've been admiring the work of a landscape architect. Maybe you have a green thumb around your own house apartment. If so, landscape architecture might be the field for you. Landscape architects have the fun job of creating outside spaces that are functional, attractive, and in harmony with the natural surroundings.

If you're creative and love the outdoors, this career may be a double blessing for you. Much of your time will be spent either designing and planning, or working at the outdoor site. A degree in landscape architecture or interior design will qualify you for this exciting position, and for a healthy mean annual wage of $55,140.

2. Fitness Trainers
If you're a natural born leader who enjoys going outside for a run, you should consider becoming a fitness trainer. They're not just for the gym anymore. As the benefits of getting outside are more fully realized, many fitness activities are shifting towards the outdoors. Additionally, trainers are increasingly finding jobs in other areas of employment, like hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. 

A fitness trainer's job usually consists of part time hours plus freelance clients. The mean annual wage for a fitness trainer is $25,910 - and that doesn't include any freelance or self-employed income. Very often, self-employed fitness trainers can make far more.

If you're interested in turning your healthy, active lifestyle into a career, look into programs in physical fitness If you're the active type who enjoys going outside for a run or leading a group of people in exercises, you should consider becoming a fitness trainer.

3. Recreational Therapists
Recreational therapists use outdoor games, arts, crafts, hikes, and other fun activities to help people with disabilities and illnesses. If you're interested in a career that not only encourages you to be outdoors, but allows you to help others, look into becoming a recreational therapist.

According to the Department of Labor, recreational therapists are paid a median annual wage of nearly $35,000. To become a recreational therapist, a person normally completes a degree in therapy or counseling .

4. Forestry Workers
Foresters care for, maintain, study, and protect parks and private green areas, including the wildlife that lives there. They primarily work for private conservancy groups or the federal or state governments.

If you love the idea of having a variety of duties all related to going out to the parks and getting your hands dirty, then you should look into a forestry career. To get a forestry job, a four-year degree in biology, earth sciences, or forestry would be the right place to start.

Good news, too: You won't have to choose between fresh air and a nice paycheck. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the annual mean wage for forestry workers is $51,190.

If you find yourself feeling down because you're missing out on nice weather and fresh air, just remember: you don't have to choose between going to work and going outside. With a little training, you could very well turn your love for the great outdoors into a rewarding career.