### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Forest and Conservation Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			forest and conservation workers imageForest and conservation workers measure and improve the quality of forests.							
						Quick Facts:     Forest and Conservation Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$33,940     per year
										$16.32     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    11,300Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -9% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -1,000What Forest and Conservation Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Forest and conservation workers perform physical labor to improve the quality of natural areas such as forests, rangelands, and wetlands.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Forest and conservation workers often work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations and in all types of weather. Most forest and conservation workers are employed full time, although part-time or seasonal work is common.
            
                                                How to Become a Forest and Conservation Worker
                                                
                        
Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job training to attain competency.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for forest and conservation workers was $33,940 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of forest and conservation workers is projected to decline							 9 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 1,800 openings for forest and conservation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for forest and conservation workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of forest and conservation workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about forest and conservation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Forest and Conservation Workers Do 
            

			Forest and conservation workersForest and conservation workers count trees during tree-measuring efforts.			
Forest and conservation workers improve the quality of forests, rangelands, and wetlands. Under the supervision of conservation scientists and foresters, they develop, maintain, and protect forests.
Duties
Forest and conservation workers typically do the following:
Plant seedlings to reforest land
Clear brush and debris from trails, roadsides, and camping areas
Count and measure trees during tree-measuring efforts
Select or cut trees according to markings, sizes, types, or grades
Protect plants from disease by spraying trees or injecting vegetation with insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides
Identify and remove diseased or undesirable plant life or trees
Help prevent and suppress forest fires
Maintain equipment to ensure that it operates properlyForest and conservation workers do physical tasks to maintain and improve the quality of a forest. They use a variety of equipment, including digging and planting tools to plant seedlings and power saws to cut down diseased trees.
Some work on tree farms or orchards, where their duties include planting and cultivating many kinds of trees. Their duties vary with the type of farm and may include planting seedlings or spraying to control weeds and insects.
Some forest and conservation workers are employed by forest nurseries, where they sort through tree seedlings, discarding the ones that do not meet standards. Others gather woodland products, such as decorative greenery, tree cones, moss, and other wild plant life. Still others tap trees to make syrup or chemicals.
Forest and conservation workers who are employed by or are under contract with government agencies may clear brush and debris from trails, roadsides, and camping areas. They may clean restrooms and other public facilities at recreational sites and campgrounds.
These workers also may help to suppress forest fires. For example, they may construct firebreaks, which are gaps in vegetation that can help slow or stop the progress of a fire. They also sometimes respond to forest emergencies.
Forest and conservation workers are supervised by conservation scientists and foresters, who direct their work and evaluate progress.
 Work Environment
			Forest and conservation workersForest and conservation workers work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations and in all types of weather.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Forest and conservation workers held about 11,300 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of forest and conservation workers were as follows:
        State government, excluding education and hospitals
                26%Forestry
                23Support activities for agriculture and forestry
                10Self-employed workers
                9Crop production
                2Forest and conservation workers work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations and in all types of weather. Workers may wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hardhats, safety glasses, and coveralls.
Their work is often physically demanding. In addition, forest and conservation workers may have to walk long distances through dense woods while carrying heavy equipment.
Injuries and Illnesses
Forest and conservation workers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. The work may be especially dangerous for those whose primary duties involve fire suppression. To protect against injury, forest and conservation workers must wear PPE and follow safety procedures.
Work Schedules
Most forest and conservation workers are employed full time, although part-time or seasonal work is common. Responding to an emergency may require workers to work additional hours at any time of day.
 How to Become a Forest and Conservation Worker

			forest and conservation workers imageForest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma before they begin working.			
Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job training to attain competency.
Education
Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and a valid driver’s license before they begin working. Some students take postsecondary courses in forestry and conservation topics, such as forest ecology, wildlife management, or resource conservation.
Training
After they are hired, forest and conservation workers typically get on-the-job training. They help experienced workers with labor-intensive tasks, such as planting or thinning trees. They also learn how to operate and maintain equipment safely.
In addition, some states may require that crews and individuals receive training, and sometimes a license, in the use of commercial pesticides. For more information, consult states’ agriculture department.
Advancement
To advance their careers and become forest and conservation technicians or conservation scientists or foresters, forest and conservation workers typically need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Forest and conservation workers must convey information to foresters and conservation scientists and other workers.
***Decision-**making**skills.*** Forest and conservation workers must make judgments and act quickly, especially when conditions are dangerous.
***Detail oriented.*** Forest and conservation workers must observe gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that equipment works properly. They also must be precise in following safety procedures.
***Listening skills.*** Forest and conservation workers must understand the instructions they receive before performing tasks.
***Physical stamina.*** Forest and conservation workers perform a variety of strenuous tasks. They also must be able to walk long distances through dense woods, often while carrying heavy equipment.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Forest and Conservation WorkersMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Forest, conservation, and logging workers$46,910  Forest and conservation workers$33,940Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for forest and conservation workers was $33,940 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $50,450.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for forest and conservation workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        State government, excluding education and hospitals
                $31,200Most forest and conservation workers are employed full time, although part-time or seasonal work is common. Responding to an emergency may require workers to work additional hours at any time of day.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Forest and Conservation WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Forest, conservation, and logging workers-5%  Forest and conservation workers-9%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of forest and conservation workers is projected to decline				 9 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 1,800 openings for forest and conservation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Automation of forest and conservation workers’ tasks is expected to reduce employment demand over the projections decade.
Despite heightened demand for U.S. timber and wood pellets, improved technology will lessen the need for forest and conservation workers to do certain tasks. For example, remote sensing allows fewer workers to count and identify trees. As automation of manual forestry tasks continues, fewer of these workers will be needed to do the same amount of work.
However, a rise in the number of wildfires may create some demand for the fire suppression activities of forest and conservation workers, especially in state-owned forest lands. As more people continue to build homes in western forests, there will be a need for workers to protect those areas from fires.
			

                        Employment projections data for     forest and conservation workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Forest and conservation workers**
			45-4011
			11,300
			10,300
			-9
			-1,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Forest and conservation workers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of forest and conservation workers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Conservation Scientists and Foresters**
            Conservation scientists and foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.
            Bachelor's degree
            $68,300**Fire Inspectors**
            Fire inspectors detect fire hazards, recommend prevention measures, ensure compliance with state and local fire regulations, and investigate causes of fires.
            See How to Become One
            $71,420**Firefighters**
            Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $57,120**Logging Workers**
            Logging workers harvest forests to provide the raw material for many consumer goods and industrial products.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,910**Cartographers and Photogrammetrists**
            Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information to create and update maps and related products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $76,210
 Contacts for More Information
								
For information about forestry and conservation careers and about schools offering education in forestry and conservation, visit
Society of American Foresters (SAF)
Student Conservation Association (SCA)
The Wildlife Society (TWS)
For information about careers in forestry, particularly conservation forestry and land management, visit
Forest Stewards Guild
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
Society for Range Management (SRM)
U.S. Forest Service

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Forest and Conservation Workers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Forest and Conservation Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/farming-fishing-and-forestry/forest-and-conservation-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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