Forest and conservation workers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,780 | $16.24 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Mean (average) | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 90th percentile | $57,220 | $27.51 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Forest and conservation workers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 28 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $47,310 | $37,520 | $58,440 | 30 | 0.67 |
| California | $43,680 | $36,080 | $45,760 | 2,270 | 3.2 |
| Colorado | $37,690 | $31,190 | $61,550 | 110 | 1 |
| Connecticut | $34,010 | $34,010 | $55,390 | 40 | 0.66 |
| Florida | $36,780 | $35,160 | $50,120 | 70 | 0.17 |
| Georgia | $34,150 | $23,430 | $79,070 | 160 | 0.85 |
| Hawaii | $56,330 | $48,930 | $64,390 | 60 | 2.58 |
| Idaho | $59,460 | $38,480 | $60,530 | ||
| Iowa | $33,600 | $28,580 | $72,880 | 40 | 0.59 |
| Louisiana | $39,900 | $30,270 | $52,740 | 150 | 1.93 |
| Massachusetts | $51,890 | $35,160 | $73,470 | 120 | 0.87 |
| Minnesota | $39,590 | $35,780 | $55,160 | 30 | 0.27 |
| Missouri | $37,170 | $36,750 | $45,360 | 120 | 1.09 |
| Montana | $32,600 | $32,600 | $52,320 | ||
| Nevada | $35,760 | $34,810 | $51,570 | ||
| New Jersey | $41,600 | $33,280 | $56,910 | 40 | 0.23 |
| New Mexico | $36,370 | $34,530 | $40,690 | 30 | 0.99 |
| North Carolina | Data unavailable | 50 | 0.24 | ||
| Ohio | $48,470 | $31,590 | $64,980 | 160 | 0.73 |
| Oregon | $46,010 | $38,470 | $63,110 | 70 | 0.97 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,250 | $43,740 | $62,290 | 210 | 0.9 |
| South Carolina | $44,050 | $37,260 | $58,890 | 40 | 0.48 |
| South Dakota | $38,210 | $34,380 | $50,640 | 490 | 27.54 |
| Tennessee | $40,320 | $31,200 | $44,430 | 210 | 1.62 |
| Texas | $30,470 | $30,470 | $32,720 | ||
| Virginia | $54,560 | $40,600 | $62,400 | ||
| Washington | $44,430 | $37,310 | $57,720 | 460 | 3.34 |
| Wisconsin | $36,420 | $33,110 | $53,680 | 300 | 2.58 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for forest and conservation workers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 2,200. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 26.7%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for forest and conservation workers
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Plant Nursery Operations and Management CIP 01.0606
- Forestry, General CIP 03.0501
- Forest Technology/Technician CIP 03.0511
- Forestry, Other CIP 03.0599
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
- Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.
- Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
- Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
Technology skills
- ESRI ArcGIS software (in demand)
- Geographic information system GIS systems (in demand)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Project (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Database software
- Geographic information system GIS software
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- IBM Lotus Notes
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
Transferable skills for career changers: Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Operations Monitoring.
Common job titles: Christmas Tree Farmer, Conservation Officer, Field Laborer, Forest Ranger, Forest Resource Specialist, Forestry Support Specialist, Park Maintainer, Reforestation Worker, Tree Farmer, Tree Planter.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do forest and conservation workers make?
The national median annual wage for forest and conservation workers was $43,680 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $33,780 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $57,220. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do forest and conservation workers need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is forest and conservation workers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of forest and conservation workers to change -1.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 2,200 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay forest and conservation workers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Idaho ($59,460), Hawaii ($56,330), Virginia ($54,560). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.