Forest and Conservation Workers in South Dakota
Considering working as a Forest and Conservation Workers in South Dakota? Here’s what the data says. 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.
What do Forest and Conservation Workers Make in South Dakota?
For forest and conservation workers working in South Dakota, the median annual wage is $37,690 per year (or roughly $18.12/hour).Pay can range from $33,600 at the 10th percentile to $46,800 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,600 | $16.15 |
| 25th percentile | $34,810 | $16.74 |
| Median (50th) | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| 75th percentile | $43,760 | $21.04 |
| 90th percentile | $46,800 | $22.50 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in South Dakota compared to the national average — is 40.33, suggesting that forest and conservation workers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, forest and conservation workers earn a median of $22,542 per year ($10.84/hour), exceeding the South Dakota median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 360,249 forest and conservation workers across the United States. In South Dakota alone, around 670 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 140 forest and conservation workers.
Top South Dakota Metros for Forest and Conservation Workers
The largest metro-area employers of forest and conservation workers in South Dakota.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 150 | $37,690 |
| Rapid City, SD | 60 | $33,600 |
Top States for Forest and Conservation Workers Employment
View the states that employ the most forest and conservation workers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 1,840 |
| South Dakota | 670 |
| Wisconsin | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | 220 |
| Tennessee | 220 |
| Louisiana | 210 |
| South Carolina | 210 |
| Washington | 200 |
| Georgia | 180 |
| Oregon | 140 |
| Florida | 100 |
| Ohio | 80 |
| Illinois | 60 |
| New Jersey | 60 |
| Colorado | 60 |
| Idaho | 60 |
| Connecticut | 50 |
| Texas | 50 |
| Indiana | 40 |
Highest-Paying States for Forest and Conservation Workers
The highest-paying states for forest and conservation workers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $64,430 |
| Ohio | $53,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,160 |
| Arkansas | $46,110 |
| Idaho | $46,010 |
| Colorado | $45,420 |
| California | $43,680 |
| Massachusetts | $43,630 |
| Washington | $43,480 |
| Missouri | $43,330 |
Skills
Key forest and conservation workers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for forest and conservation workers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, forest and conservation workers typically:
- 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.
- Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws.
- Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws.
- Select or cut trees according to markings or sizes, types, or grades.
- Prune or shear tree tops or limbs to control growth, increase density, or improve shape.
Work Activities
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Processing Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software, Microsoft Access
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Forestry
- Horticulture
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to forest and conservation workers include:
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Conservation Scientists
- Range Managers
- Foresters
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Environmental Restoration Planners
Also Known As
Blister Rust Eradicator, Box Chipper, Box Cutter, Brusher, Chemical Sprayer, Chopper, Christmas Tree Farm Worker, Christmas Tree Farmer, Christmas Tree Grader, Christmas Tree Grower, Cone Picker, Conservation Coordinator, Conservation Officer, Conservation Specialist, Conservation Worker.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 45-4011.00
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