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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Foresters to increase by 2.2% between 2024 and 2034, from 13,200 to 13,500 jobs. Its estimate of 900 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($76,400), education (Bachelor's degree), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
13,200
Projected employment (2034)
13,500
Projected change (2024–2034)
2%
Annual openings (projected average)
900
Pay & Preparation
$76,400
Bachelor's degree
None
None
Essential Skills
Critical Thinking (4/5) • Reading Comprehension (4/5) • Speaking (4/5) • Monitoring (4/5) • Active Listening (3.88/5) • Judgment and Decision Making (3.88/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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