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
How to Become a Forest and Conservation Worker Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma before they begin working. Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job
Education
Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and a valid driver’s license before they begin working. Some students take postsecondary courses in forestry and conservation topics, such as forest ecology, wildlife management, or resource conservation. Training After they are hired, forest and conservation workers typically get on-the-job training. They help experienced workers with labor-intensive tasks, such as planting or thinning trees. They also learn how to operate and maintain equipment safely. In addition, some states may require that crews and individuals receive training, and sometimes a license, in the use of commercial pesticides. For more information, consult states’ agriculture department. Advancement To advance their careers and become forest and conservation technicians or conservation scientists or foresters, forest and conservation workers typically need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.
Training
to attain competency.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline. About 2,200 openings for forest and conservation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Automation of forest and conservation workers’ tasks is expected to reduce employment demand over the projections decade. Despite heightened demand for U.S. timber and wood pellets, improved technology will lessen the need for forest and conservation workers to do certain tasks. For example, remote sensing allows fewer workers to count and identify trees. As automation of manual forestry tasks continues, fewer of these workers will be needed to do the same amount of work. However, a rise in the number of wildfires may create some demand for the fire suppression activities of forest and conservation workers, especially in state-owned forest lands. As more people continue to build homes in western forests, there will be a need for workers to protect those areas from fires. Forest and Conservation Workers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Forest and conservation workers -2% Forest, conservation, and logging workers -4% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Forest and Conservation Workers Do
Forest and conservation workers improve the quality of forests, rangelands, and wetlands. Under the supervision of conservation scientists and foresters, they develop, maintain, and protect forests.
Duties
Forest and conservation workers typically do the following:
- Plant seedlings to reforest land
- Clear brush and debris from trails, roadsides, and camping areas
- Count and measure trees during tree-measuring efforts
- Select or cut trees according to markings, sizes, types, or grades
- Protect plants from disease by spraying trees or injecting vegetation with insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides
- Identify and remove diseased or undesirable plant life or trees
- Help prevent and suppress forest fires
- Maintain equipment to ensure that it operates properly
Forest and conservation workers do physical tasks to maintain and improve the quality of a forest. They use a variety of equipment, including digging and planting tools to plant seedlings and power saws to cut down diseased trees.
Some work on tree farms or orchards, where their duties include planting and cultivating many kinds of trees. Their duties vary with the type of farm and may include planting seedlings or spraying to control weeds and insects.
Some forest and conservation workers are employed by forest nurseries, where they sort through tree seedlings, discarding the ones that do not meet standards. Others gather woodland products, such as decorative greenery, tree cones, moss, and other wild plant life. Still others tap trees to make syrup or chemicals.
Forest and conservation workers who are employed by or are under contract with government agencies may clear brush and debris from trails, roadsides, and camping areas. They may clean restrooms and other public facilities at recreational sites and campgrounds.
These workers also may help to suppress forest fires. For example, they may construct firebreaks, which are gaps in vegetation that can help slow or stop the progress of a fire. They also sometimes respond to forest emergencies.
Forest and conservation workers are supervised by conservation scientists and foresters, who direct their work and evaluate progress.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Forest and conservation workers held about 14,700 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of forest and conservation workers were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 27% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 21 |
| Forestry | 16 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 12 |
| Support activities for agriculture and forestry | 10 |
Forest and conservation workers work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations and in all types of weather. Workers may wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hardhats, safety glasses, and coveralls.
Their work is often physically demanding. In addition, forest and conservation workers may have to walk long distances through dense woods while carrying heavy equipment.
Injuries and Illnesses
Forest and conservation workers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. The work may be especially dangerous for those whose primary duties involve fire suppression. To protect against injury, forest and conservation workers must wear PPE and follow safety procedures.
Work Schedules
Most forest and conservation workers are employed full time, although part-time or seasonal work is common. Responding to an emergency may require workers to work additional hours at any time of day.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Forest and conservation workers must convey information to foresters and conservation scientists and other workers. Decision-making skills. Forest and conservation workers must make judgments and act quickly, especially when conditions are dangerous. Detail oriented. Forest and conservation workers must observe gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that equipment works properly. They also must be precise in following safety procedures. Listening skills. Forest and conservation workers must understand the instructions they receive before performing tasks. Physical stamina. Forest and conservation workers perform a variety of strenuous tasks. They also must be able to walk long distances through dense woods, often while carrying heavy equipment.
More Information
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.
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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.