What You Need to Know About Forest and Conservation Worker
Forest and Conservation Worker Job Description 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: What Do They Do?
- Gather, package, or deliver forest products to buyers.
- Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
- Provide assistance to forest survey crews by clearing site-lines, holding measuring tools, or setting stakes.
- Sow or harvest cover crops, such as alfalfa.
- Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
- Select tree seedlings, prepare the ground, or plant the trees in reforestation areas, using manual planting tools.
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Forest and Conservation Worker Needed Skills
Forest and Conservation Workers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Park Maintainer
- Spanish Moss Picker
- Gatherer
- Foreman
- Tree Climber
Forest and Conservation Worker Employment Estimates
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.
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Forest and Conservation Workers 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 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
Are there Forest and Conservation Workers education requirements?

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

Where Forest and Conservation Workers Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Forest and Conservation Worker may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Forest and Conservation Worker in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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