Forest and Conservation Workers
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.
Also called: Blister Rust Eradicator, Box Chipper, Box Cutter, Brusher, Chemical Sprayer, Chopper
Median pay
$43,680
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$33,780 – $57,220
People employed
6,050
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 5.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 6.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
Forest and Conservation Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (27 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What forest and conservation workers do
- 01Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
- 02Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.
- 03Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
- 04Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.
- 05Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
- 06Explain or enforce regulations regarding camping, vehicle use, fires, use of buildings, or sanitation.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Geography
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from forest and conservation workers
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists85% · +30%
- Forest and Conservation Technicians84% · +25%
- Firefighters81% · +36%
- Aircraft Service Attendants79% · −7%
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation78% · +6%
Change into forest and conservation workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Forest and Conservation Technicians80% · $54,560
- Aircraft Service Attendants79% · $40,450
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners78% · $50,960
- Motorboat Operators75% · $47,520
- Firefighters74% · $59,280
Majors that lead here
- Plant Nursery Operations and Management
- Forestry, General
- Forest Technology/Technician
- Forestry, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.