Foresters
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.
Also called: Area Forester, Consulting Utility Forester, District Forester, Environmental Protection Forester, Extension Forester, Fire Prevention Forester
Median pay
$76,400
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$50,790 – $109,700
People employed
10,430
Holland code
RIC
Realistic · Investigative · Conventional
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.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 2.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 6.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
Foresters pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (43 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What foresters do
- 01Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.
- 02Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.
- 03Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage.
- 04Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.
- 05Perform inspections of forests or forest nurseries.
- 06Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Writing
Knowledge
- Biology
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Geography
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Leadership Orientation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
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 foresters
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers89% · group pay
- Environmental Restoration Planners85% · group pay
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health82% · +8%
- Environmental Engineers77% · +40%
- Water Resource Specialists76% · group pay
Change into foresters
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers86% · $141,900
- Environmental Restoration Planners81% · $82,220
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health79% · $82,220
- Forest and Conservation Technicians78% · $54,560
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health74% · $55,090
Majors that lead here
- Natural Resources/Conservation, General
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General
- Forestry, General
- Forest Sciences and Biology
- Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
- Urban Forestry
- Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology/Technician
- Forest Resources Production and Management
- Forestry, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.