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Career overview · SOC 45-4011

Forest and Conservation Workers

Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.

Also called: Christmas Tree Farmer · Conservation Officer · Field Laborer · Forest Ranger · Forest Resource Specialist · Forestry Support Specialist

Median pay (national)
$43,680
$33,050–$54,190 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
5,630
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-4.7%
~2,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for forest and conservation workers shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $54,190 versus $33,050 at the bottom 10% — 1.6x. The median of $43,680 leaves roughly 24% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -4.7% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 2,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 25 states with released data, Illinois pays the most for this role (median $64,430, +48% vs the national median), while Iowa sits lowest at $30,290 — a 113% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags ESRI ArcGIS software, Geographic information system GIS systems as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Writing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
  • Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
  • Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.
  • Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation.
  • Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws.
  • Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws.
  • Select or cut trees according to markings or sizes, types, or grades.
  • Erect signs or fences, using posthole diggers, shovels, or other hand tools.

Tools & technology

  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Database software
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • Public Safety and Security
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administration and Management
  • Geography
  • Biology
  • Communications and Media
  • Transportation