CFChooseField
Agriculture and Natural Resources

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Forest and Conservation Workers
Download graphic

Median pay

$43,680
Median annual pay for Forest and Conservation Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

-4.7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

2,000
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

10,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Forest and Conservation Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

-500
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Active Learning
  4. 4Active Listening
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Speaking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Public Safety and Security
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Administration and Management
  5. 5Geography
  6. 6Biology

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Problem Sensitivity
  3. 3Oral Expression
  4. 4Static Strength
  5. 5Deductive Reasoning
  6. 6Dynamic Strength

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Perseverance
  3. 3Cooperation
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Cautiousness

Work activities

  1. 1Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  2. 2Performing General Physical Activities
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  5. 5Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  6. 6Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  4. 4Telephone Conversations
  5. 5In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
  6. 6Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

Representative 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.
  • Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.
  • Explain or enforce regulations regarding camping, vehicle use, fires, use of buildings, or sanitation.
  • Operate skidders, bulldozers, or other prime movers to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation equipment over areas to be regenerated.
  • Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation.

Software and tools

ESRI ArcGIS software · in demandGeographic information system GIS systems · in demandMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Project · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyDatabase softwareGeographic information system GIS software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.