What Does it Take to Be a Forest and Conservation Worker?
Occupation 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.
List of Forest and Conservation Worker Job Duties
- Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.
- Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.
- Erect signs or fences, using posthole diggers, shovels, or other hand tools.
- Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
- Maintain campsites or recreational areas, replenishing firewood or other supplies and cleaning kitchens or restrooms.
- Prune or shear tree tops or limbs to control growth, increase density, or improve shape.
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Qualities of a Forest and Conservation Worker
These are the skills Forest and Conservation Workers say are the most useful in their careers:
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
- Forestry Farm Laborer
- Tree Killer
- Woods Laborer
- Tree Trimmer
- Tree Scout
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.
Forest and Conservation Worker Average 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 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
Individuals working as a Forest and Conservation Worker have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Forest and Conservation Worker?

Forest and Conservation Workers Sector

Below are examples of industries where Forest and Conservation Workers work:

Related 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.
Featured Schools
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