Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job training to attain competency. PayThe median annual wage for forest and conservation workers was $43,680 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 2,200 openings for forest and conservation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for forest and conservation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of forest and conservation workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about forest and conservation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for forest and conservation workers was $43,680 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 2,200 openings for forest and conservation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for forest and conservation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of forest and conservation workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about forest and conservation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 2,200 openings for forest and conservation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for forest and conservation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of forest and conservation workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about forest and conservation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Forest and conservation workers perform physical labor to improve the quality of natural areas such as forests, rangelands, and wetlands.
Work Environment
Forest and conservation workers often work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations and in all types of weather. Most forest and conservation workers are employed full time, although part-time or seasonal work is common.
How to Become a Forest and Conservation Worker
Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job training to attain competency.
Pay
The median annual wage for forest and conservation workers was $43,680 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 2,200 openings for forest and conservation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for forest and conservation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of forest and conservation workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about forest and conservation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Forest and conservation workers often work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations and in all types of weather. Most forest and conservation workers are employed full time, although part-time or seasonal work is common.
How to Become a Forest and Conservation Worker
Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job training to attain competency.
Pay
The median annual wage for forest and conservation workers was $43,680 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 2,200 openings for forest and conservation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for forest and conservation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of forest and conservation workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about forest and conservation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for forest and conservation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of forest and conservation workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about forest and conservation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about forest and conservation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.