What is a Forest and Conservation Worker?
Forest and Conservation Worker Example 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, and tree planters.
List of Forest and Conservation Worker Job Duties
- Sow or harvest cover crops, such as alfalfa.
- Examine and grade trees according to standard charts and staple color-coded grade tags to limbs.
- Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws.
- Drag cut trees from cutting areas and load trees onto trucks.
- Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
- Select or cut trees according to markings or sizes, types, or grades.
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Forest and Conservation Worker Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Forest and Conservation Workers say are important on the job.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Forest and Conservation Worker
- Fern Gatherer
- Seedling Puller
- Tree Killer
- Tree Trimmer
- Forest Products Gatherer
Forest and Conservation Worker Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 14,300 jobs in the United States for Forest and Conservation Worker. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Forest and Conservation Worker. The BLS estimates 2,100 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Forest and Conservation Worker are Oregon, North Dakota, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Massachusetts, Louisiana, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Forest and Conservation Worker Salary
The typical yearly salary for Forest and Conservation Workers is somewhere between $21,940 and $48,220.

Forest and Conservation Workers who work in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or Missouri, make the highest salaries.
How much do Forest and Conservation Workers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $24,720 |
Colorado | $28,830 |
District of Columbia | $50,800 |
Florida | $33,850 |
Georgia | $38,190 |
Hawaii | $39,810 |
Illinois | $38,760 |
Indiana | $24,340 |
Iowa | $28,400 |
Kansas | $28,380 |
Louisiana | $35,590 |
Maryland | $41,030 |
Massachusetts | $46,700 |
Michigan | $41,710 |
Missouri | $44,220 |
Montana | $30,080 |
New Hampshire | $33,440 |
New Jersey | $37,320 |
New York | $39,100 |
North Dakota | $32,490 |
Ohio | $41,520 |
Oklahoma | $33,250 |
Oregon | $36,920 |
Pennsylvania | $51,970 |
South Carolina | $28,330 |
South Dakota | $28,690 |
Tennessee | $25,570 |
Texas | $34,280 |
Washington | $28,070 |
West Virginia | $25,830 |
Wisconsin | $41,960 |
What Tools do Forest and Conservation Workers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Forest and Conservation Workers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- ESRI ArcGIS software
How to Become a Forest and Conservation Worker
What education or degrees do I need to become a Forest and Conservation Worker?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Forest and Conservation Workers Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Forest and Conservation Workers employed by various industries.

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Forest and Conservation Worker might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Forest and Conservation Worker sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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