What Does it Take to Be 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.
Life As a Forest and Conservation Worker
- Select or cut trees according to markings or sizes, types, or grades.
- Provide assistance to forest survey crews by clearing site-lines, holding measuring tools, or setting stakes.
- Drag cut trees from cutting areas and load trees onto trucks.
- Explain or enforce regulations regarding camping, vehicle use, fires, use of buildings, or sanitation.
- Sort tree seedlings, discarding substandard seedlings, according to standard charts or verbal instructions.
- Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Forest and Conservation Worker?
Below is a list of the skills most Forest and Conservation Workers say are important on the job.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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.
Types of Forest and Conservation Worker Jobs
- Box Chipper
- Tree Planter
- Sap Gatherer
- Range Aide
- Forest Resource Specialist
Are There Job Opportunities for Forest and Conservation Workers?
There were about 14,300 jobs for Forest and Conservation Worker in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Forest and Conservation Worker. There will be an estimated 2,100 positions for Forest and Conservation Worker per year.

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.
Average Forest and Conservation Workers Salary
The average yearly salary of a Forest and Conservation Worker ranges 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 different U.S. states?
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 & Technology 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
Becoming a Forest and Conservation Worker
Individuals working as a Forest and Conservation Worker have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Forest and Conservation Worker?

Who Employs Forest and Conservation Workers?

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

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Forest and Conservation Worker may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Forest and Conservation Worker sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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