What is a Forester?
Position Description Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber’s worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Life As a Forester: What Do They Do?
- Perform inspections of forests or forest nurseries.
- Subcontract with loggers or pulpwood cutters for tree removal and to aid in road layout.
- Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
- Monitor wildlife populations and assess the impacts of forest operations on population and habitats.
- Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.
- Analyze effect of forest conditions on tree growth rates and tree species prevalence and the yield, duration, seed production, growth viability, and germination of different species.
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Forester Skills
When polled, Foresters say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Forester
- Silviculturist
- Fire Prevention Forester
- Forest Manager
- Wildlife Removal Specialist
- Staff Forester
Job Outlook for Foresters
In the United States, there were 12,300 jobs for Forester in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.9% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 600 new jobs for Forester by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,100 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Forester are Nevada, North Dakota, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Forester
Foresters make between $41,350 and $86,870 a year.
Foresters who work in New Jersey, District of Columbia, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Foresters make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $65,230 |
| Alaska | $71,800 |
| Arkansas | $56,710 |
| California | $80,030 |
| Colorado | $61,890 |
| Connecticut | $72,010 |
| District of Columbia | $86,790 |
| Florida | $64,190 |
| Georgia | $54,590 |
| Idaho | $57,180 |
| Illinois | $68,570 |
| Indiana | $47,070 |
| Iowa | $64,840 |
| Kentucky | $47,680 |
| Louisiana | $69,890 |
| Maine | $52,850 |
| Maryland | $64,370 |
| Massachusetts | $76,810 |
| Michigan | $66,630 |
| Minnesota | $64,330 |
| Mississippi | $59,900 |
| Missouri | $50,180 |
| Montana | $57,960 |
| Nebraska | $61,530 |
| Nevada | $64,160 |
| New Hampshire | $64,920 |
| New Jersey | $76,760 |
| New Mexico | $52,740 |
| New York | $65,620 |
| North Carolina | $63,610 |
| North Dakota | $55,760 |
| Ohio | $61,990 |
| Oklahoma | $49,390 |
| Oregon | $70,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,170 |
| South Carolina | $61,430 |
| South Dakota | $54,850 |
| Tennessee | $55,610 |
| Texas | $64,740 |
| Vermont | $65,170 |
| Virginia | $59,940 |
| Washington | $69,720 |
| West Virginia | $57,640 |
| Wisconsin | $55,810 |
| Wyoming | $60,980 |
What Tools do Foresters Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Foresters:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- IBM Notes
- Geographic information system GIS software
- ESRI ArcView
- Work scheduling software
- Mapping software
- ESRI ArcGIS software
Becoming a Forester
Education needed to be a Forester:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Foresters Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Foresters employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Lynn Betts via Photo by Lynn Betts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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